Saulsbrook Balance, a runner-up in last week’s $1,400 Open Trot at Charlottetown Driving Park, turned the tables on defending champion Dusty Lane Shelby
in Saturday’s edition.
Dusty Lane Shelby (Corey MacPherson) crossed over from the outside Post 6 and cut out early fractions of :30.1 and 1:01.1 while 3-2 favourite Saulsbrook Balance and Kenny Arsenault followed from the two-hole. Dunmore Alpha (Edward Smallwood) moved underway from third at that point and applied heavy pressure to the pacesetter, poking a head in front at the 1:31.2 third quarter. Dusty Lane Shelby fought back as they raced into the stretch but Saulsbrook Balance was full trot and sprinted home in :29.3 to prevail over that rival by a length in a season’s-best 2:01.1. Caliban Hanover (Ronnie Gass) rallied off cover to get third.
Saulsbrook Balance ($5.10) is trained by Cynthia MacDonald, who also shares ownership with Tanya MacKinnon of Souris, PE. The gelded son of Nikes Image-Animated Lady earned his third win of his five-year-old season in 10 starts.
Riccaras Sun, a five-year-old Allamerican Native-Riccara Hanover gelding, went from last to first in the featured $2,400 pace, winning by three and a quarter lengths in 1:56.1 for driver Terry Gallant, trainer Trevor Hickens and local owner Kenneth MacInnis. The 4-1 third choice in the field paid $10.10 to win for the fourth time in 10 outings this year. B J Cruiser (Gary Chappell) and favourite C L Eighty (Kenny Arsenault) finished second and third.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.