Force Ore Finesse quickly grabbed the lead and never looked back to win his third straight in one of the PEI Stakes divisions on Thursday at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre.
There were a total of four $5,700 PEI Stakes divisions for the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Trainer/driver Phil Pinkney guided Force Ore Finesse (Force Of Life - Swingore) to the front in :29 and the two blazed through fractions of :58.3 and 1:27.3. Without seeing a serious challenge at any point in the mile, Force Ore Finesse pulled away down the stretch for a three and three-quarter length score in 1:56 - tying his career best which he set 12 days ago.
Island Hurricane (Marc Campbell) sat third most of the way but nailed Mr Sundin (Gilles Barrieau) for second.
Owned by KPD Standardbreds, Force Ore Finesse has yet to miss the board this season, posting a 10-2-1 record through 13 starts. The 13th career victory boosted his bankroll to $62,944.
In the next division, Jags Rasin (Rayson Hanover - Some Nice Jag) sat the pocket as long as possible before wrestling the lead away from the leader and pacing away to a length and three-quarter victory in 1:59. The gelding has six wins from 13 starts this year for owner/breeder/trainer Melvin Land.
Beer Drinkin Drip (Drop Off - Perfect Passage) won from third-over in the third split for Darren Crowe. A :30 final kick had them a length the best at the wire in 1:59.2. Trained by Blair Laffin, the gelding is three-for-10 this year with a bankroll of $6,301.
In the final division, Country Estate (Force Of Life - Donmar Rhea) went gate-to-wire for Darren Crowe. The William Baker trained colt won by six and a quarter-lengths in a lifetime best 1:56.4. It was the fourth win from just five starts this year for Country Estate.
A pair of $5,500 PEI Stakes went to post for two-year-old trotters.
In the second split, Saulsbrook Balance (Nikes Image - Animated Lady) and Clare MacDonald set a new track record for two-year-old trotting geldings. Coming first-over, the Rusell Newman trainee overtook the lead at the top of the lane and trotted to a 10 and a quarter-length score in 2:02.2. In seven career starts, Saulsbrook Balance has three wins, two seconds and earnings of $11,806.
The first division saw Demasiado Tequila (Southwind Lustre - Glisten Lobell) sit in the two-hole for owner/trainer/driver Ivan Jamieson till past the half and pop out to grab the lead before the three-quarters. The duo cruised to a two-length victory in 2:08.3 for the first career win in five tries for the colt.
There were also two $5,000 PEI Stakes for three-year-old trotters.
Scarlet Sensation (Exotic Victory - Scarlet Eve) sat third for the first half-mile for trainer/driver Darryl MacLean and then made his way to the front in third quarter before hanging on for a length and a half triumph in 2:04.4. It was the fourth win in 13 tries this season for the filly.
Maple Leaf Opal (Nikes Image - Maple Leaf Gem) converted off a pocket-trip in the other division for Clare MacDonald. The filly collared leader Dusty Lane Diva (Ken Arsenault) down the lane for the length and three-quarter victory in 2:05.1. Trained by owner Ralph Annear, Maple Leaf Opal has won two straight and has a record of 3-6-2 in 13 starts this year.