Little Louis extended his winning streak to seven in Atlantic Sires Stakes (ATSS) action, giving driver Corey MacPherson one of five wins on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The streaking Little Louis ($2.20) won his $13,380 ATSS two-year-old trot tilt as he went to front and breezed through :32.1, 1:03, and 1:34 fractions, completing the seven-length victory in 2:03.3. Hoponarocket (Mike McGuigan) was second and Dusty Lane Margo (Jason Hughes) finished third. Kuri White trains the winning son of E L Rocket-Go With Her for owner East Coast Captains of Cornwall, P.E.I. The gelding has earned $52,690 with seven wins in eight starts.
MacPherson won four overnight dashes to go with his stakes triumph. The Cornwall-based driver hit the wire first with Princess Halo ($13.10) in 1:57.2 from the Garth Cole barn, Sharky ($4.90) in 1:57 for trainer Taylor Doyle, Chromed Up ($6.90) for Chris MacKay in 1:56.4, and Howmac Exclusive ($15.90), who knifed through late in 1:56.2 for trainer Les Waite. MacPherson's five victories on the 15-race program carried him to the top of the drivers' standings, passing David Dowling to lead by two wins.
The other $13,380 rookie trot division went to Roseys El Girl ($4.10) who got to the top just past the quarter in :31.3, led through 1:02.2 and 1:33.4 middle splits, and prevailed in 2:03.2 for driver Ken Murphy. Bonmati (MacPherson) held second by three-quarters of a length with Emberlees Rocket (Marc Campbell) third. Roseys El Girl, a homebred for owner-trainer Bill Lanigan of Montague, P.E.I., broke her maiden in her eighth start and increased her earnings to $21,587.
The first $13,000 division for three-year-old trotters became a wide-open affair with the scratch of ATSS points leader Oceanview Nikki, and Marcus Down Ridge ($11.20) made the most of the opportunity. He got away in the pocket for Clare MacDonald but was shuffled to third as Fire The Rocket (Jason Hughes) took over en route to the half in 1:03.1. Marcus Down Ridge went first-up and marched past the leader at three-quarters in 1:34, and he trotted home in 2:02.4 to nab gold, three-quarters of a length ahead of Dusty Lane Kahlua (Adam Merner). Majian Mystery (Jim Ripley) was third. Clare MacDonald trains the winning son of Mile Hill Willie-R Rocket Rachel for owner Wade Silliker of Borden Carleton, P.E.I. The win was his first in 20 starts as his bankroll improved to $34,150.
West River Jet ($2.10) controlled every step in the other $13,000 sophomore division, putting up :29.1, :58.2, and 1:28.3 fractions in a 1:58.4 victory. Supreme Rockette (McGuigan) was five lengths adrift in second with Dusty Lane Gus (Merner) third. West River Jet has hit the board in every start this year for driver Ken MacDonald and trainer Clare MacDonald. The E L Rocket-Kaddys Angel gelding is 11-for-19 lifetime and has earned $93,857 for owner Haley MacDonald of Stratford, P.E.I.
Driver Paul Langille was a three-time winner on the night, scoring with Starship Beauty ($5) in 1:58 for trainer Kyle Williams, Brookdale Johnny ($4.30) in the night’s $4,300 featured conditioned pace for Phil Sizer in 1:55.4, and the finale with Brokeandoutofgas ($3.50) in 1:55.4 for trainer Tammy Collings.
Live racing continues Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)