Fight Song made the most of a rare break by arch-rival Buckhead Ridge to win the $4,200 Open Handicap Trot on Thursday, Sept. 18 on a night full of healthy payouts at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Heavy favourite Buckhead Ridge (Marc Campbell) went off stride at the start, allowing Fight Song ($6.50) to surge to the lead from post four. Jason Hughes rated him to :28.1, :57.4, and 1:27.2 panels, and the gelding opened up to a 7-3/4-length victory in 1:57. Desert Hayz (Gilles Barrieau) finished second ahead of Glider Man (Ken Murphy) to complete a solid $562.70 triactor ticket.
Fight Song is now six-for-28 this season with 19 top-three finishes. He has now beaten Buckhead Ridge in four races this year and finished behind him 11 times. The Ashley Gamester-trained son of Kadabra-Fortunes Of Fables races for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. He recorded his 29th victory in 121 lifetime appearances and has now earned $234,011.
Hughes made trotting feature the cornerstone of a driving hat trick. He also won the fifth race with Graceful Moment ($15.30) in 1:57.2 for trainer Trevor Easter and the 13th-race finale with Acefortyfour Dome ($34.40) in a sparkling 1:54.3, again for trainer Gamester.
Corey MacPherson matched the hat trick with three stylish steering wins, starting his roll in the third race as Catchafewrays ($5.40) scored in 1:57.2 for conditioner Ken Wilkie. MacPherson returned to victory lane in Race 7 when Rosieallover ($31.60) got up late for trainer Carson Wilkie in 1:57.4, and he completed the triple in Race 10, guiding his own trainee Redland Peaches ($10.30) to a crisp 1:57 win.
In the $4,450 conditioned pacing feature in Race 12, Miss Dutton ($6.10) dug in to win in a sizzling 1:53.3 for trainer Chris MacKay, holding off a flying Sugar Bowl (Brady Sweet) in the lane with Tobins Brownie (Adam Merner) third. Paul Langille teamed the winning mare, who lowered her lifetime mark.
Live racing continues Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)