After a perfect sophomore season, Sock It Away has graduated to aged company and will have his biggest test to date on Sunday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 13-dash Sunday program has a special 2:00 p.m. post time out of respect for Remembrance Day services.
Sock It Away will try to extend his streak to 17 straight in the race 12 Preferred pace carrying a $2,650 purse. Red Shores Charlottetown’s leading driver, Marc Campbell, will be at the lines of the post three starter for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I. The son of Pang Shui was a winner in 1:55.1 in a hard-fought stretch duel in his latest start in the $11,000 Island Breeders final.
Governor’s Plate champion Czar Seelster has post six in the short field with Mike McGuigan back at the helm, while Rockin Indy rides a two-race win streak into the event with rail control for driver David Dowling.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac admits Sock It Away’s perfection is appealing but thinks the jump to face some of the best pacers around will be too much. MacIsaac places Czar Seelster as the one to beat Sunday afternoon.
“Czar Seelster made up a ton of ground last week after the tardy start, had to come first up at the half and still kicked home in 28 and change for the win,” MacIsaac said. “Off a performance like that how do you go against him? You don't.”
Also in the field is Three Truths (Kenny Arsenault), Rollwithitharry (Ron Matheson) and Winter Blast (Jason Hughes).
Race 11 is carded as the Remembrance Day pace, featuring a $1,600 purse. Dusty Lane Zendaya is the favourite from post one, coming into the race with back-to-back victories. Adam Merner will drive for trainer Stephen Gass.
The John J Thompson Memorial pace lines up in race nine in honour of the horseman and World War 2 veteran who passed away one year ago this month. Woodmere Ideal Art enters the race fresh from a near-miss against Sock It Away, as he was a nose short of beating the undefeated pacer in the Island Breeders final. Hughes will drive Woodmere Ideal Art again in this week’s $2,350 event for trainer Sifroi Melanson and owner Ultimate Stable of Greater Lakeburn, N.B.
For race programs, live video and more visit redshores.ca. To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(with files from Red Shores)