After working out a two-hole trip, 26-year-old reinsman Ryan Perrot recorded his first lifetime victory Sunday afternoon at the Charlottetown Driving Park with Allamerican Napa.
The Charlottetown resident left from the rail with the three-year-old The Panderosa filly and sat behind the favourite U Da Man Dude, driven by Jason Hughes. Perrot would go up the passing lane to win the race in 2:01.1. Allamerican Napa is owned by Earl Smith of Hunter River, PEI.
"(Allamerican Napa) can leave pretty good but races better covered up. I didn't think I'd be able to get past (U Da Man Dude) but I had a lot of horse left," Perrot told Atlantic Post Calls.
Jason Hughes, one of the province's top drivers, said Perrot gave the mare a perfect drive.
"He drove with his head. He let the best horse go and sat back and beat him in the lane. I'd drive like that every night if I had the chance," Hughes said. "It's nice to see young people that work hard in the game get some recognition."
Perrot said he always wanted to try driving just to see how good he was.
"If I was no good at it I'd let someone else do it but I seem to be getting along alright," Perrot said.
In the future, Ryan Perrot just wants to keep driving safely, continue having some success, and hopefully some day be in the same place his boss Earl Smith was in mid-August.
"I got a pretty good feeling watching Pownal Bay Matt cross the wire (winning the Gold Cup & Saucer). I wouldn't mind sitting in that seat."
To the charted lines from Sunday at the Charlottetown Driving Park, click here.
(With files from Atlantic Post Calls)