With breakers all around her at the start, Along For The Ride was guided through the crowd and blew up the toteboard in Lady Slipper Stakes action on Friday evening (September 3) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
With veteran horseman Brian MacPhee at the lines, Along For The Ride trotted her way into the two-hole at the beginning of her $12,850 Lady Slipper two-year-old trot race as one of just two horses to stay on stride. The Merchandiser filly followed along behind pacesetter Getting Allfiredup (driven by Marc Campbell) and made up 10-lengths in the final quarter to get up for a 2:05.4 win. Mr Miller (Corey MacPherson) finished second ahead of third-place Getting Allfiredup to complete the gigantic triactor payout with no winning $2 combinations out. MacPhee trains the trotter for Ambrose Laybolt of Morell, P.E.I.
Headline Howie won the second $12,850 Lady Slipper rookie trot division in 2:03.2 for trainer/driver Mike McGuigan and owner Jamie Whalen of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. Berts Legacy (Paul Lanigan) was second with Howmac Caesar (Kenny Arsenault) third.
Three-year-old trotting action saw another upset with Galeowind (Campbell) winning a $12,316 Lady Slipper division in 2:03.1 for owner Michael Bailey of Morell, P.E.I. Race favourite Dusty Lane Milo (Gilles Barrieau) made a break in stride in the first turn and had to settle for second. Third went to My Monies A Runnin (Adam Merner).
Peach Pie Will Do was much the best in his three-year-old Lady Slipper trotting division by four lengths in 2:02.1 for driver Barrieau, trainer Chris MacKay and owners Jordan MacKay, Andrew Brown, Shirley Symes and Allard Racing Inc. Rich Daydreams (Arsenault) finished ahead of A Little Go Go (Campbell) for the triactor ticket.
Ladylike won the $3,600 Mares Preferred Pace in 1:56 for driver David Dowling, trainer Colin Johnson and owner Debbie Element of Village Green, P.E.I.
Live racing continues Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown and Monday at 1 p.m. for a Labour Day program at Red Shores Summerside.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)