The PEI Colt Stakes are in the books, but this year’s chapter belongs to Gilles Barrieau after the veteran driver recorded four winners on the Saturday afternoon program and made five trips to the winner’s circle on the evening card for nine victories at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The New Brunswick native began his remarkable day aboard Twomacsoneshadow in the two-year-old colt division of the PEI Colt Stakes tripping the timer in 1:58 flat and then came right back with Woodmere Dreams for trainer Ken Wilkie in 1:59.3. The driving triple came with Outrageous Belle while Woodmere Soul notched the grand-slam in 1:59 to give Earl Watts a training double.
The other PEI Colt Stake winners in the afternoon were Goodmorning Ky (Norris Rogers), Tobinator (Corey MacPherson), Woodmere Finesse (Kenny Arsenault), Mick Dundee (Don MacNeill) and The Hawk (Danny Romo).
The three-year-old colts and fillies were in the spotlight with the PEI Colt Stakes under the lights for the second half of the double-header. Barrieau was back in victory lane with Jackson K Down, a 1:56.3 winner, for trainer Steve Mason and the Downey Stable of Quispamsis, N.B.
The former National Driving representative also collected stakes hardware with Every Time for trainer Eddy Doucette while Four Brass Starz and Santiago Style gave him his fourth on the night.
Barrieau’s ninth and final win of the day came with Clic K in the evening’s top class in a torrid 1:53.3. The eight-year-old son of Shanghai Phil, owned by the Plo Stable of Donagh, P.E.I. and trained by Jackie Matheson, won by three lengths over a fast-closing Nogreatmischief (Gary Chappell) and OK Galahad (Jason Hughes) third.
Adam Merner enjoyed a driving triple include a victory aboard Beaus Cowboy in the PEI Colt Stakes in 1:56.3 for trainer Ron Gass and owner Alex MacPhee of Clyde River, P.E.I. Merner also opened the card with Windemere Stanley and won the finale with Likely To Win in 1:55.4. The pacer notched his third win in a row.
The other stakes winners were Southfield Sassy (Terry Gallant), Heart And Soul (Clare MacDonald), Alberta Sky (Ken Murphy) and Scarlet Safari (Marc Campbell).
In other action, Drivingthedragon N captured the Atlantic Aged Mares Pacing Series, presented by Standardbred Canada, for trainer/driver Jason Hughes and owner Don MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. The mare stopped the timer in 1:55 flat for her third in a row.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)