Sodwana Bay’s rivals were no match for her Sunday afternoon (Sept. 30) in the Atlantic Aged Pacing Mares series final, presented by Standardbred Canada, at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.
Under the command of Gilles Barrieau, heavy post-time favourite Sodwana Bay settled mid-pack at the start of the $15,517 final. Meanwhile, Traces Of Purple (Kenny Arsenault) gained the early lead before releaing Drivingthedragon N (Jason Hughes) to the front. Traces Of Purple would retake the lead, and that is when Barrieau pulled the trigger to launch his trainee to the lead at the 28.1 opening quarter before opening up for the duration of the mile. She tripped the half in :57, the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and trounced her competition in the lane by five lengths in 1:55.2. Traces Of Purple finished second over Collective Wisdom (Walter Cheverie). Wayne MacRae and Howmac Farms Ltd. hold the ownership papers of Sodwana Bay.
The Sunday afternoon card was action packed with stakes races, featuring the Lady Slipper stakes for trotters, the Joe O’Brien Memorial for three-year-old pacing colts, and the Lady Slipper stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Barrieau had four wins on the program, as he clicked with Bettim Jackie in a $12,000 Lady Slipper Gold division for sophomore pacing fillies in 1:56.1 for trainer Jeff Lilley, L Weather B in a $6,500 O’Brien Grassroots division in 2:00, and Mile Hill Willie from his own stable in 2:05.2 in a $7,500 Lady Slipper two-year-old trot.
Sock It Away remained perfect on the year with another victory, giving him 15 straight trips to the winner’s circle. Marc Campbell was in the seat for trainer Kevin MacLean in the $10,000 O’Brien Gold division in a time of 1:54.3.
The other $10,000 O’Brien Gold split was won by JJ Powerball and trainer-driver Austin Sorrie in 1:57.1.
Royaltywestho claimed her $12,000 Lady Slipper Gold division for three-year-old pacing fillies in 1:56.2 for driver Cheverie and trainer Joe Baxter.
Dusty Lane Titan hit the wire first in his $7,500 Lady Slipper two-year-old trot in 2:03.1 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell.
The $8,000 Lady Slipper three-year-old trot divisions were won by West River Cindy (Ken MacDonald) in 2:00.4 and Buckaroo in 2:00.1 (Campbell).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Red Shores Summerside.