Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park played host to the 76th edition of the PEI Colt Stakes and the stars were out in full force
for the Saturday double-header.
During the afternoon program, Meridian Magic extended her incredible winning streak when trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault sent her to front and never looked back stopping the clock in 1:59.2 for owners Barry Martin and James Gillis of N.S. The three-year-old daughter of Largo-Hot Asset turned back Elm Grove Ella (Clare MacDonald) and Emyvale (Vincent Poulton) to notch her 24th win in a row and push her bankroll to $137,442. She has won all 13 of her stakes engagements this year including a division of the Rudy Chappell Memorial Stake, the Maritime Breeders, the Lady Slipper Gold Stakes, The Maritimer and numerous Atlantic Sires Stakes events.
Pacing fillies were spotlighted during the afternoon card as two-year-olds went head-to-head in six $5,000 divisions and three-year-olds competed in four splits for $6,700 a piece.
The other three-year-old winners were Cruising Champette (Mark Bradley) in 2:01, R Es Miss Jen (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:58.1 and Putnams Dough Girl (Bernard McCallum) in 2:00.4.
The two-year-old filly divisions went to Our Lady Byng (Arsenault) in 2:01.1, Ifiwereaboy (Jason Hughes) in 2:01.1, Forthena (Clare MacDonald) in 2:02.2, Acton Normal (Shane Bernard) in 2:00, Moon Landing (Gilles Barrieau) in 2:00.1 and Honey Do Jigtime (MacDonald) in 2:01.4.
Mr Salming, with Gilles Barrieau, and Allbentouttashape, driven by Mike Stevenson, shared the fastest miles in PEI Colt Stakes action under the lights when the three-year-old colts tripped the timer in identical 1:56.3 scores in their respective $5,700 divisions.
The other sophomore winners were Island Redemption (Barrieau) in 1:58, Idbegoodatthat (Ryan Ellis) in 1:57.3, Dr Alexander B (Shane Bernard) in 1:56.4.
Putnams Power, driven by trainer Danny Romo, remains undefeated in 10 starts thanks to his four length romp in the first of six $5,000 splits for freshmen colts.
The other frosh winners were Tiger Williams (Earl Smith) in 2:00.2, Pictonians Souwest (Mike Stevenson) in 1:59, Woodmere Sandman (Stephen Trites) in 1:59.3, The Streak (Barrieau) in 2:00.1 and Royal Putnam (Bernard McCallum) in 2:01.2.
An accident occurred in race 12, won by Royal Putnam, when Island Commander (Barrieau) fell going into the first turn interfering with Biscuit Box (Marc Campbell). Horses and drivers escaped the mishap unharmed.
Saturday's $1,400 Open Trot was captured by 42-1 longshot Katies Victory, who nosed out Dunmore Alpha (Ed Smallwood) for the 2:01 score. Ken Murphy drove for local trainer and owner Clark Smith. The five-year-old daughter of S Js Photo-Questionable Katie has won five of 18 starts this year.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from Red Shores)