Last week Smart Official laid down the fractions to one of the fastest Winter miles in the history of Eastern Canada harness racing, but will look to go all the way Saturday afternoon (Dec. 26) on the Boxing Day program at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 14-dash Boxing Day card has a 12:30 p.m. (AST) opening post time with the $2,500 featured pace aligning in Race 13. Smart Official was on top for the majority of his latest start, but fell victim to Screen Test in the final panel in a spectacular 1:55.3 mile. With that preferred foe out of the picture, Smart Official will look to take advantage of post 4 on Saturday afternoon with Jason Hughes at the controls for trainer and co-owner Peter Lanigan and co-owner Sandra Stead of Montague. Creepin defeated the top class on Tuesday evening and gets post 3 to work from on Saturday for trainer-driver David Dowling, while Gordie Hennessey will sit up on Silverhill Buddy from post 1 from the David Myers barn.
Also in the field are Sports Royalty (To be driven by Gilles Barrieau), Rockin Indy (Corey MacPherson), Tempo Seelster (Ken Murphy), Revenant (Adam Merner), Legendary Ron (Myles Heffernan Sr.) and Shadow Of A Daut (Marc Campbell).
The $2,800 Fillies and Mares Open pace takes to the track in Race 10 of the day with Dreamfair Zenfire looking to repeat on last week’s victory for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. Other top entries are Woodmere Skyroller (David Dowling) and Temagami Seelster (Kenny Arsenault).
Race 4 is a welcome sight for racing fans as driver Mike McGuigan returns to the race bike for the first time since July, when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. McGuigan will drive Whim Road Gem from his own barn in that dash, which is carded as the $2,350 Open Trot. Freddie is the top choice in the Open class from post 5 for the Campbell stable.
(Red Shores)
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.