The first card of the 2017 harness racing season at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park is set for Saturday. Post time for the program is 12:30 p.m.
Forever Paradise, the winner of last week’s top class, will have to maneuver from Post 7 in Saturday’s $2,100 main event, which has been carded as Race 14. The Kevin MacLean trainee is fresh off of defeating the streaking Drivingthedragon N in New Year’s Eve action at the capital oval. Drivingthedragon N will be absent this week, which has led to the classifier giving the nod to Forever Paradise, who will be racing for driver Corey MacPherson and owners Reg MacPherson, David MacKenzie of Stratford and Aaron MacKenzie of Winsloe.
It will not be all open road for Forever Paradise, as Rash B Havior has been on top of his game and will get the services of Ken Murphy this week.
Other entries include D Bs Rosco (to be driven by Kenny Arsenault), Jetster (Jason Hughes), Doing Some Damage (Adam Merner), Woodmere Articblue (Marc Campbell) and I D K (Vincent Poulton).
The afternoon’s trot class will feature the Arsenault duo of Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault) from Post 7 and Howmacs Pride (Gordie Hennessey) from Post 5. Holy Molie Maggie will attempt to play spoiler for driver Gary Chappell, but will have to overcome Post 8 to accomplish the goal.
Campbell led all drivers in 2016, but the slate has been wiped clean. He will look to retake his top spot amongst drivers with the help of Eagle Jolt in Race 15. Eagle Jolt will face a field of eight pacers, which will include Smiley Bayama (MacPherson) and Pictonian Storm (Wade Sorrie).
A special trackside presentation will take place after Race 1 for the winners in the Trainer-Driver Challenge. Customers will also be treated to second-chance draws with the Wild Horses tag tickets.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)