Officials with Red Shores have sent out a preview of its upcoming weekend programs of racing at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway.
Van Zant has drawn the rail in the Saturday night feature event at the CDP. First-race post time Saturday at the CDP is 6 p.m.
Ron Matheson, who will drive Van Zant for his co-owner Tom Clark of Charlottetown, will head into the Saturday program with 989 career wins as a driver. The team, which includes son Jackie as trainer, has been sharp posting two seconds and a victory over his last three starts. The Matheson stable will also send out General Luckypercy from Post 6 with Gilles Barrieau in the bike.
There will be stiff competition from Tempo Seelster (to be driven by Vince Poulton) from Post 3, while Sterling Seelster, who’s riding a two-race winning streak, will also make his presence felt for driver Marc Campbell and new owner Marie Cameron of Summerside. The all-star line-up also includes Blue Star Outlaw, Nobestbfor and Machinthesand.
In other action, Abundaspin is making headlines in his last year of racing, as the trotter hasn’t tasted defeat since he returned to the track on April 26. Harold Shepherd will handle the 14-year-old lifetime winner of $471,504 in the Open Trot. The other morning line favourites include newcomer Kan Wire, who arrives from London, Ont., and Caliban Hanover, who will attempt to spoil the party for Abundaspin and owner Mikeala Lustic of Cornwall.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
The horses are back at Summerside! The new season will get underway Monday afternoon at Red Shores Summerside with an exciting 12-dash program. First-race post time is 1 p.m. and the card will officially launch the countdown to the Governor’s Plate.
The 11th race Victoria Day pace will headline the program with newcomer Sa Summers Luck being established as the morning line favourite for driver Corey MacPherson and the Big Easter stable from O’Leary. The pacer was in action at Flamboro Downs in Ontario and then made three starts at Truro Raceway, which included a second-place finish in a sparking 1:57.2. The Jason Hughes stable has two starters in the race with Bunny Mach (PP1) and Cambest Kisser (PP7), both of which are capable of hitting the triactor ticket. The field has top guns like Paphos, Bet the House, Carnivore, Windemere Eric and Lucky Encounter.
Darren and Jennifer Trainor of Vernon River, who walked away with a truckload of trophies at the annual Prince County Horsemen’s Club awards night recently, are favoured to win the back-up class on the afternoon (Race 10) with Panda Bear. Marc Campbell gets the driving assignment from the husband and wife team that enjoyed great success at the Summerside oval in 2013.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Summerside, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)