The 63rd edition of the Gold Cup & Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, is right around the corner and a number of top pacers have already made their way to P.E.I. as they get set to tune up on Saturday (August 6) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The capital oval has 13 dashes planned for a 6:30 p.m. start time on Saturday with the $3,500 Preferred pace full of Gold Cup & Saucer contenders in Race 12.
Governor’s Plate Champion No Plan Intended leaves from Post 4 in the Preferred, riding a two-race win streak from the Colin Johnson barn for owners Carl Jamieson of Ontario and Brian Paquet of Quebec. The Up The Credit pacer put himself over $100,000 in seasonal earnings in his Governor’s Plate victory.
Lovemyrockinbird comes in from the preferred class at Rideau Carleton Raceway, with six wins this season including a 1:51.4 best over the five-eighths Rideau track. Jason Hughes is at the lines from Post 3 in Saturday’s bout for trainer Victor Puddy.
Ys Mathis makes his Island debut for trainer-driver Marc Campbell from Post 7. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate and winner of 14 races and $402,202 lifetime comes to the Island from the Ohio racing circuit where he was under the tutelage of trainer Ron Burke.
Island Beach Boy holds down Post 2 for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau after winning his latest in 1:53.2, while Twin B Tuffenuff looks for redemption after making a break in last month’s Governor’s Plate final. He has Kenny Arsenault driving for trainer Ron Matheson. Completing the field are Rose Run Quest (Adam Merner) and Mc Pat (Ken Murphy).
The Post Time Picks have No Plan Intended selected on top.
“The last time we saw No Plan Intended was winning the Governor’s Plate in Summerside. Now he draws mid-pack and is tuning up for the Gold Cup & Saucer so don’t be shocked if he scores a natural hat trick.”
Another Gold Cup & Saucer hopeful, Laughagain Hanover heads postward in the ninth race. The 10-time winner has Post 6 in the $3,150 dash for trainer Teesha Symes. The Springhill, N.S., native is back on the East coast and looks for her first Gold Cup & Saucer trophy. Her hopes will rest with the Don MacRae-owned four-year-old son of McArdle with Hughes committed to drive the pacer who also previously hailed from the Ohio wing of the Burke barn.
Catch all the action live at the track or watch the star-studded card online at Redshores.ca. Online wagering is available at HPIBet.com. To view the entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)