Sitting last and prevailing in her final stride of the mile, Dollywood was the best in the Grant Thornton Pace on Thursday, Aug. 8 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Kenny Arsenault drove the four-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar in her $2,900 assignment as she got away last at 18-1 odds and circled the field to win a neck decision in 1:59 over Freaky Fanny (Driven by Mike McGuigan). Paul Doyle of Charlottetown owns and trains Dollywood, the topper on a $492.50 triactor ticket on this occasion.
Adam Merner had the hot hands on the evening as the Cape Breton native celebrated his 37th birthday with three winners. Merner doubled up with the Melissa Rennie-trained duo of Lady Llamrei (1:59.2) and Shake N Blake (1:55.3). He also drove two-year-old Green Manalishi filly Oceanview Rumors to a maiden-breaking score in 2:02.3 for trainer Bill Roloson.
Driver Brodie MacPhee and Trainer Tom Weatherbie joined up to win the second with Irie (1:59.2) and the seventh with Century Keyanna (1:58).
Outrageous Song won the $2,800 Fox Group Racing Event in Race 9 in line to Gilles Barrieau for trainer Ron Matheson and owner Shirley Weeks of Fredericton. Barrieau and Matheson also celebrated a victory in Race 10 with the younger sister of Outrageous Song, Outrageous Style, in 1:55.3 for owner-breeder Paul Holmes of Warren Grove.
The $2,900 Fox Group Racing Event in Race 11 had Elm Grove Redwine circle up for her third straight victory for trainer-driver David Dowling and owners Alex Quinn, Carl Peterson and Brittany Dowling. The Stonebridge Terror mare stopped the clock in 1:57.2.
For the results from Thursday's card of harness racing at Charlottetown Driving Park, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
Gold Cup week racing makes its official opening on Friday, Aug. 9 with Imalookertoo the favourite in the featured pace. The city track has a 10-dash presentation starting at 6 p.m., with the $2,950 featured pace — the Trevor Tracey - Tracey Family Funeral Home Pace — slated as the ninth race.
Brady Sweet drives Imalookertoo, a seven-year-old son of Shadow Play, from post five for owner Robert Sumarah of Nova Scotia and trainer Jeff Holmes. The 32-time winner has been victorious is four of his last six races.
Jewels Dragon is another top selection from post three for the team of driver Marc Campbell and trainer Landon Campbell. The eight-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding takes a drop in class for his Friday assignment.
Also in the field are Blue Monk (Corey MacPherson), Tradition (Gordie Hennessey), Phil Dorleans (Jason Hughes) and Two Points (David Dowling).
The Post Time Picks positions Jewels Dragon on top.
“Jewels Dragon has been in against some tough customers and really not that far away. Takes a dip and Campbell will have him up near the pace so this could be the night he seals the deal.”
The Bob Connelly Memorial draws a field of eight pacers in the fifth race with Shakemeup Hanover (Colin Sheppard) the top choice from the Morgan Sheppard stable of Brackley.
Winter Blast is the number one selection in Race 6, the District 17 Liberal Association Pace, with post three for driver Hughes, trainer Jennifer Doyle and owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe.
Race 7 is the David MacDonald Memorial Pace with Thinkingofyoubabe (Campbell) as the morning line favourite from the rail for co-owner and trainer Kyle Wilkie and co-owner Shelly Wilkie of Stratford.
Melanies Magic (MacPherson) is top choice in Race 8, the In Memory Of Buddy & Joan Shepherd Pace, from post three. Sandra Stead of Montague holds the ownership papers on the winner of $110,966.
To view Friday's entries, click the following link: Friday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)