Saturday’s double header at Charlottetown Driving Park was packed full of PEI Colt Stakes for two- and three-year-old pacing fillies and colts
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The ladies were first to face off during the afternoon program in five $5,700 divisions for the two-year-olds and five $5,900 divisions for the three-year-olds.
Meridian Magic was the quickest freshman filly and quickest of all the fillies for that matter. Under the guidance of Vincent Poulton, the daughter of Largo-Hot Asset moved to the outside and advanced from fifth before the half, then pulled away by four and three-quarter lengths to win her fifth straight in 2:00.2 over an off track. Seawind Allegra (Danny Romo) was the runner-up with the winner’s stablemate, C H Yocoohno (Kenny Arsenault), finishing third. Arsenault trains the winner of five races in eight starts and $28,844 for co-owners James Gillis and breeder Barry Martin of Sydney, N.S.
The other divisional winners were Woodmere Sandollar (2:04), We B Success (2:03), Southview Skye (2:02.3) and Scootingforsuccess (2:02.3).
Semjac Legacy, by Western Paradise-Island Zazzle, won the fastest sophomore split in 2:01 for trainer/driver Darren Crowe and owners Iola Crowe of Central Onslow, Murray Wayne Smith of Brookfield and Marlene Miller of Truro, N.S. The Western Paradise-Island Zazzle miss rallied from off the pace to win by three-quarters of a length over pacesetter Larshegoes (Clare MacDonald) and third-place finisher N Xample Deal (Gord Hennessey). It was her fifth win in 11 seasonal starts.
Darko (2:02), a daughter of Largo-Norwell Lilyharbor, notched her third straight win in another division for Arsensault and owner/trainer Ralph Annear while Out To Pass (2:03.3), R Es Miss Mcardle (2:01.3) and Elm Grove Dallas (2:01.1) won their respective splits.
The evening card featured five matching divisions for two-year-old colts and geldings and five for three-year-olds.
Southview Anand wired the first field of freshmen colts in 2:02 over a sloppy track, prevailing by 11 and a half lengths with Danny Romo in tow. Ringmaster (Brian MacPhee) and Tellyounolie (Kenny Arsenault) finished second and third. The Astreos-Southview Sasha colt, trained and owned in part by Charles McGee along with Elwood Lawton of Stratford, P.E.I., has won half of his six starts and earned $7,348.
With Shane Bernard in the bike, the Paul Doyle trained and owned Dr Alexander B (2:02.1) won his Race 11 division, which was marred with an accident. Putnams Force fell prior to the start of the race but sources have indicated that both horse and driver escaped injury.
Woodmere Jethro (2:03.1), Island Dominator (2:04) and Allbentouttashape (2:03) also won their freshmen splits.
The front-stepping Stars Xample was just nipped at the wire in his sophomore split by Pictonian Manowar (Todd Trites), but inherited the win in a time of 2:00.4 after Pictonian Manowar was placed back to fourth for causing interference in the first turn to Rocky Bubba (Kenny Arsenault). As a result, Saulsbrook Quick (Ryan Ellis) was third placed second and Rocky Bubba was fourth placed third. Stars Xample is trained and driven by Terry Gallant for owner Catherine MacNeil of Albert Bridge, N.S. The N Xample-Hidden Assets colt has won 11 of his 14 starts this season earning $32,671.
War Dancer (2:03), Howmacs Dropnick (2:01.4), Pictonian Leo (2:04) and Kingofthecastle (2:02.4) won the remaining sophomore splits.