The Lady Slipper Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters were featured Thursday at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino with the Charlottetown Driving Park oval showcasing five divisions.
Taliesin headlined the show as the three-year-old trotter remained undefeated in 2013 when he scored his seventh win in a row. Driver/trainer Mark McKinnon used rail control to his advantage in a $5,600 division and sent the son of the Northern Bailey through fractions :30.4, 1:03 and 1:34.1 to stop the timer in 2:04. The colt, who is closing in on $20,000 banked this season, is owned by Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach, P.E.I.
Sophomore filly Oceanview Kate, under the command of Mike Stevenson, put in a great performance to notch her fifth win from eight starts this season in her division of the Lady Slipper in 2:03.2 for owner/trainer Bill Roloson of Belfast, P.E.I. The other three-year-old division of the Lady Slipper went to Howmacs Pride and Brodie MacPhee. The Earl Watts trainee was a comfortable winner in 2:03 for owners Howmac Farms Ltd. of North Wiltshire, P.E.I. and Wade Peconi of Breadalbane, P.E.I.
Two-year-old trotter B J Commache, owned and trained by Bert Honkoop of Montague, P.E.I., claimed his Lady Slipper in 2:09.2 with driver Clare MacDonald. Race favourite Dusty Lane Galaxy, who was attempting to go for his seventh win in a row, was scratched from the race. I C Caviar, with Corey MacPherson in the bike, captured the other division in 2:04.4 for owner Charles MacDonald of Kensington, P.E.I. and trainer John Pineau.
The top class went to Leading Camdidate and driver Jason Hughes in 1:56.4. Hughes did the driving for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. Stephen Quinn was the winning trainer.
MacPhee and MacPherson recorded driving doubles on the program.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)