A two-hole ride is unfamiliar territory for the front-stepping Elm Grove Mistress, but she exploded off a helmet to win the Thursday evening (Sept. 15) featured pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Elm Grove Mistress guarded the pylons at the start of the $2,700 featured fillies and mares pace but released a hard leaving Atlantic Star (Driven by Mike McGuigan) to the front in :28.2. Elm Grove Mistress and driver Jason Hughes sat contently in the two-hole for splits of :57.2 and 1:26.4, then powered in the stretch to win in 1:57. Ms Moyse (Adam Merner) was second with Shes In The Moment (Mark Bradley) finished third. Jennifer Doyle of Earnscliffe co-owns and trains the Articulator mare with partner Danny Birt. One of the hardest leaving mares on the Eastern Seaboard, Elm Grove Mistress has not won a race without being charted on front at any point in the mile since four years ago in her 2018 victory in The Maritimer Stake at Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John, N.B.
Also on the program, Striking Pride and driver Marc Campbell won the $3,500 Island Oceans Trot Series Grassroots division in Race 2 presented by JD Marine & Diving Inc in 1:58.4 for trainer Paul Morrison, who co-owns with John Breau of Shediac Cape, N.B., and Jillian Furness of Vernon Bridge.
Campbell had three wins on the night as he also scored with Howmac Blaze in 1:59.4 for trainer Norman Myers and Arc Light in 2:00.1 from his own stable. The wins put Campbell at 81 victories in 2022 at the capital oval ahead of second place David Dowling at 75 wins. It is the 13th straight season Campbell has led all drivers in Charlottetown.
The $3,200 Allstar Cresting Prospect Trot Series divisions were won by Twin B Harry (Gilles Barrieau) in 2:06.1 and Oceanview Cicero (Corey MacPherson) in 2:04.2.
Live racing continues Saturday at Red Shores Charlottetown and Monday (Sept. 19) at Red Shores Summerside. Post times at 6 p.m. (EDT).
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)