Three highly anticipated opening heats for the Maritmer Stakes in Atlantic Canada have been drawn and will highlight the first of two live cards Saturday at Exhibition Park Raceway.
The first division, Race 4, will see the first group of six looking to crack the top-three and a spot in the final. Among the starters are Outrageous Storm, an Ontario-bred filly for Marc Campbell. She has won her last two and is a daughter of Cammibest.
Rhondas Belle is the richest filly in the first group with over $ 36,000 in earning for top driver Brian MacPhee.
The second division, Race 5, seems to be the most wide open affair with a field of seven fillies. Locally owned Tobins Paradise comes off a 1:59.1 win for the Maritimes' leading driver, Todd Trites.
Another NB-owned filly looks to have a great shot at making the final, as Porthill Friendly will have top notch catch driver Walter Cheverie on board. She's owned by Dieppes' Jean Charles Belliveau.
The third division, Race 6, has shaped up to be a competitive contest.
Elm Grove Ilse is the fastest of the bunch with a recent win in 1:58.1. Driver Ken MacDonald is scheduled to handle the driving chores for the injured Clare MacDonald.
For The Luv Abunny has been consistent for trainer Dale Pinkney. She's a half-sister to the speedy Samspace. Local fillies Emily J Down and Fundyanna will look for a spot in the final for her local owners.
The top-nine fillies come back in Race 9 on the first card going for a purse of $13,636. Each elimination carries a purse of $6,818.
Solid Atlantic National Exhibition Pace Drawn
The 2008 edition of the Atlantic National Exhibition Pace, an $8,000 event, has drawn a stellar group of eight starters. The tilt has been carded as Race 9 on the second live program.
Lakota Hall, a recent 1:56.2 winner will have the Post 1 advantage for Walter Cheverie. He also captured this year's Gold Cup & Saucer consolation in 1:54.2.
Terry Gallant and Governor's Plate winner Outlawpositivcharg comes in off a huge effort in the prestigious Cup & Saucer with a fifth-place finish, less than two-lengths behind the winner. He has paced Summerside in 1:54.2 and shows a charted line of 1:53.3.
Post 3 will feature Samspace, a 1:55.1 winner over the Charlottetown Driving Park this year and a 1:58.3 victor in his last start. Dennis Baxter drives the handsome son of Space Shuttle.
Earl Smith will send Pownal Bay Matt out from Post 4. The five-year-old son of Matts Scooter gave Earl his first ever Cup & Saucer win two-weeks ago.
St Pete Star made this year's final of the GCS and has a quick 1:52.3 lifetime mark for trainer/ driver Danny Romo.
P H Bestman is back from an Ontario stint where he paced in 1:52.3 in an overnight win for Phil Hudon. Todd Trites picks up the drive on the son of Cambest.
Country Estate, who captured a Gold Cup and Saucer trial for Paul MacKenzie will be here and will score Post 7. He paced the PEI track in 1:52.4 which was his fastest win to date.
Rounding out the group is Henschke A who comes off a second-place effort to Lakota Hall in the Gold Cup and Saucer consolation.
Click here to view the entries.
(EPR)