West River Jet equalled the track record for a three-year-old trotting gelding in P.E.I. Colt Stakes action at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Thursday, Sept. 11.
West River Jet ($14.50) cut the mile for a mild upset in the $19,100 event for sophomore colts and geldings. After :29.1, :59, and 1:28.2 splits unchallenged, he turned back the unbeaten Bless Me Father (Marc Campbell) and tied his divisional record with a sharp 1:57.2 score for driver Ken MacDonald. Bless Me Father was beaten 1-1/4 lengths but well clear of show finisher Fire The Rocket (Jason Hughes).
West River Jet is now 10-for-18 lifetime with $88,007 in earnings for owner Haley MacDonald of Stratford, P.E.I. and trainer Clare MacDonald. The son of E L Rocket-Kaddys Angel has won four of seven starts this year.
The streaking Little Louis ($2.10) made it six straight victories in the $13,500 second P.E.I. Colt Stakes rookie colt trot split. He was left to carve out the fractions of :31.3, 1:02.3, and 1:32.4 and cruised to victory in 2:02.1 by six lengths over Mr Old Home Week (Ryan Desroche). Howmac Prime Time (Marc Campbell) was third.
Corey MacPherson piloted the winning son of E L Rocket-Go With Her for trainer Kuri White and owner East Coast Captains of Cornwall, P.E.I. Little Louis has won all six starts since his place finish on debut and has raked in $46,669 in earnings.
West River Karuna ($2.10) controlled every step in the first $13,500 P.E.I. Colt Stakes division for two-year-old trotting males to kick off a stakes double for the team of driver Ken MacDonald, trainer Clare MacDonald, and owner Haley MacDonald. He put up fractions of :31.3, 1:02.2, and 1:33 and powered five lengths clear to win in 2:02.1. Hoponarocket (Mike McGuigan) was second, followed by Nikway Rocks It (Myles Heffernan). West River Karuna has won four of seven appearances and has earned $31,597.
Miss Gracie Ridge ($15.40) produced the night’s first stakes upset in the $13,500 division for two-year-old filly trotters. She was third for Ambyr Campbell through :30 and 1:01 splits, went first-up to three-quarters in 1:31.4, and got up late to nail Roseys El Girl (Ken Murphy) on the line by a quarter-length in 2:01.4. Bonmati (MacPherson) rounded out the top three. Miss Gracie Ridge is three-for-six with $16,997 in the bank for Ambyr Campbell of Charlottetown, P.E.I., who owns and trains the daughter of Run Director-R Rocket Rachel.
The sophomore trotting fillies capped the stakes action in a $19,100 division. Oceanview Nikki ($2.30) and trainer-driver McGuigan sat the pocket through :29.1, :59.3, and 1:30.2 and sprinted home to score in 1:59.3 by 3-1/2 lengths over stablemate Supreme Rockette (Gilles Barrieau). Majian Mystery (James Ripley) was third.
Oceanview Nikki, owned by Blue Diamond Racing of Emyvale, P.E.I., Josh MacDonald of Little Pond, P.E.I., and Gordon Coles of Charlottetown, has won four straight races and is five-for-nine this year. The daughter E L Rocket-King Kong Kate of has tallied nine times and earned $84,119 in 20 lifetime starts.
The $3,500 Town of Stratford 30th Anniversary Pace went to Shake N Blake ($13.10) who surged from off the pace to nab the victory in 1:57.1 for driver Ken Murphy, who tripled on the evening, and trainer Jennifer Doyle, who had a double.
Also on the 14-dash card, Marc Campbell had a driving triple and trainer Tom Weatherbie nabbed two victories from his Charlottetown stable.
Live racing continues on Saturday with a P.E.I. Colt Stakes doubleheader with programs at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)