A hard hitting field of eight will take to the track in the Thursday night feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
First race post time is 7 p.m. for the 12-dash Thursday card with the featured pace taking place in Race 11 for a $2,100 purse.
Outside The Wire is the morning line choice from Post 5 for driver Gary Chappell, trainer Craig Avery and owners Andrew Avery of Freetown and John Brodrick of Manning, Alberta. The six-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear was a winner his last start in 1:57.1 at this same level but that isn’t enough for race analyst Les MacIsaac, who pins his hopes on Eagle Jolt with rail control for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owners Wilbur and Marie MacDonald of Orwell Cove.
“The last time he raced at this level he was allowed to front the field all the way and it resulted in a win,” MacIsaac said of Eagle Jolt. “With rail control it could be a similar scenario tonight so he’s a potential sleeper.”
MacIsaac also pegs Van Zant (Ron Matheson) from Post 2 as a race factor, as well as Post 6 starter Mcjestic (Walter Cheverie). Other entries include Tempo Seelster (Vincent Poulton), Cambest Kisser (Jason Hughes), Superbo Hanover (Gordie Hennessey) and Perfect Escape (Kenny Arsenault).
The back-up pace lines up in Race 7 for a $1,700 purse with Sinners In Heaven and Lyndale Royal renewing their weekly rivalry from Post 4 and 6, respectively.
The claiming pair has Sinners In Heaven racing with a $6,000 price tag with Chappell in the bike for trainer Earl Watts and owners Windemere Farms of Hampshire and Lana Murphy and River Valley Management of New Brunswick, while Lyndale Royal has a $7,200 sticker for driver Marc Campbell, trainer and co-owner Brent Campbell of Charlottetown and co-owner Neal Moase of Warren Grove. Lyndale Royal is riding a three-race win streak while Sinners In Heaven finished second and third in all three encounters but only beaten half-a-length in both runner-up efforts.
The evening trot class lines up in Race 4 with Dunmore Chance favoured from Post 2 for driver Jack Panting and co-owner and trainer Ralph Annear of Montague. The $1,550 event has a field of eight to line up behind the gate.
Marc Campbell, who has 10 drives on the Thursday program, has pledged his driving proceeds to benefit fellow driver Corey MacPherson who recently underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour. MacPherson, who sits fourth in the Charlottetown driving standings and is one win away from number 500 of his career, last drove on Sept. 24 in Charlottetown. He will be out of action for the foreseeable future.
(CDP)
To view entries for Thursday’s card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.