Spud Island Classic champion General Luckypercy converted from the pocket and forced pacesetter Grace And Harv to settle for a runner-up spot once again on Saturday at Charlottetown Driving Park in the $2,200 Fillies & Mares Open Pace
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With Ron Matheson in the bike, General Luckypercy followed inside starter Grace And Harv (Mike Stevenson), a bridesmaid in her two previous starts, through fractions of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:28.1 before denying her yet another victory. With first over attacker Wild Heart (Terry Gallant) fading, General Luckypercy pulled the pocket and wore down favourite Grace And Harv for the three-quarter length score in 1:58.2. Shooters Bay (Corey MacPherson) also made the podium.
General Luckypercy paid $8.20 to win as the 3-1 second choice. Jackie Matheson trains the Blissfull Hall-Periella mare, who has won eight times in 31 starts during her five-year-old campaign, for owners Jodilyn Matheson of Cambridge, Ont., and Jack Brown of Stratford, P.E.I.
Earlier on the card, the Ronnie Gass-trained and driven Caliban Hanover advanced first over from fourth en route to the half-mile mark and cruised to a career-best 1:59.3 victory in the $1,500 Open Trot. Early leader Saulsbrook Balance (Willie Murphy) finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in second and Northern Zephyr (Jason Hughes) followed in behind to show.
Wendell MacDonald’s Caliban Hanover $7.80 to win as the second choice in the field of eight. The six-year-old Andover Hall-Crown Lavec gelding notched his fourth win in 22 starts this year.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.