This season has seen non-stop action at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park and it is not going to let up anytime soon as Horsepersons Day takes the stage Saturday afternoon (Nov. 16).
The annual event, presented by the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association, will feature a number of second chances draws for race patrons, prizes for winning owners, trainers and grooms as well as the Paul MacDonald Memorial Driving Championship. First race post time is 12:30 P.M. for the 12-dash program.
The Driving Championship will be featured in eight races on the program starting in Race 2 with a field of eight talented reinsmen from three different categories competing. The annual challenge takes the top four dash-winning drivers from combined Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside statistics, and this year that group includes Gilles Barrieau, David Dowling, Corey MacPherson and Jason Hughes. The top percentage drivers with over 75 drives in the challenge are Mark Bradley and Mike McGuigan, while the final two spots go to the top percentage drivers with between 40 and 75 drives -- veteran drivers Earl Smith and Brian MacPhee -- in the competition. The driver with the most points at the end of the day will receive the MacDonald Memorial Trophy. All drivers must hold current memberships with the PEISHOA to be eligible.
For the second chance draws for the fans, patrons can simply fill out their name and phone number on the back of any un-cashed wagering tickets and enter for a chances to win a variety of prizes.
Also on the Saturday afternoon card, the top mares on the Eastern Seaboard will again butt heads in the $2,600 feature in Race 12. Collective Wisdom earns top billing in the event from post six with Barrieau in the bike for owner Woodmere Farms of Marshfield and trainer Jackie Matheson. The American Ideal lass was a two-length winner in her latest. Dancers Pass has been the model of consistency lately and gets post two this week for driver Dowling and trainer Philip Kelly, while fellow Matheson-trained The Time To Win (Ron Matheson) leaves from post seven.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac will take the advantage of post position as he puts Dancers Pass on top.
“Dancers Pass has got the versatility to handle any racing style and from this favourable post the trip of her choosing could be in the cards,” MacIsaac said. “She's a potential sleeper.”
Completing the field are Mrs Dragonfire (MacPherson), Rocknrols Image (Hughes), Arc Light (Marc Campbell), Imagine Speed (Bradley) and Julep Hanover (Wade Myers).
For more information go to the newly-redesigned Redshores.ca. To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(with files from Red Shores)