Harness racing at Connell Park swings back into action on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the annual running off the three-year-old made in New Brunswick stakes, The Maritimer, with a purse of $24,000.
Six fillies will battle in The Maritimer, which headlines the seven-dash card at the half-mile track in Woodstock, N.B.
Chip Of Evil (pictured above), a winner of more than $47,000 in 2024, is the likely favourite for driver Corey MacPherson from post two. The Eddy Doucette-trained daughter of Arthur Blue Chip has been a model of consistency, finishing in the top three in nine of her 10 stakes starts this year for Inarush Stable. Miss Wicked, a homebred daughter of McWicked for Blaine Thibeau, will score from post four with Mark Bradley in the bike and the Joseph Baxter trainee should also get a lot of respect from the betting public.
The Maritimer was first held at Exhibition Park Raceway and the tradition continues in the province on Saturday at Connell Park.
In other action, Press Time will seek his fourth straight win on Saturday for first-time owner Zach Cougle of Woodstock. Averil Hunter trains the pacer who has made his stamp on the New Brunswick racing scene in a big way. Since arriving on the scene, the seven-year-old son of Sportswriter has toured the Woodstock oval in 1:54.1, 1:55.1 and 1:55.3. He has been handicapped the outside post five in the top overnight class with a purse of $2,500. Todd Trites will drive the 19-time career winner who has more than $100,000 in career earnings.
Wagering available through the HPIbet platform where available and fans can watch on YouTube via the official Universum Media channel if they can't be trackside.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodstock Raceway NB.
(With files from Horse Racing New Brunswick)