Gonna Fool Ya has been nothing short of superb so far on P.E.I., but faces her greatest test to date on the first Thursday evening (May 20) card of the season at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 10-dash Thursday presentation gets underway at 6 p.m. (ADT) with Gonna Fool Ya getting pylon control in Race 9, the $2,850 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace. David Dowling trains and drives the daughter of Dream Away for owners Brittany Watts of Springvale, Rick Adams of Charlottetown and Matt and David Burke of Stratford. Dowling has steered the mare off the front to a pair of victories since the season opened at Red Shores and takes the hike in class on Thursday to take on some of the best mares on the Eastern Seaboard.
Dreamfair Zenfire has won nine of her last 13 races, all at the top class, for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. That mare will leave from post 5 on Thursday in a field of five. Filly Forty Seven will leave from post 4 with Jason Hughes in the seat for trainer Darryl MacLean as third choice on the morning line odds.
Race analyst Peter MacPhee with the Post Time Picks places Dreamfair Zenfire in the win position. “Dreamfair Zenfire’s 2020 numbers jump off the page with 13 wins and a record of 1:54.2,” MacPhee said. “She draws outside for this start but has tremendous gate speed and if Marc gets her to the front it could be lights out.”
Other entries are Southwind Ion (To be driven by Kenny Arsenault) and Ubettimagoodone (Gilles Barrieau).
The first trot class of the season hits the track in Race 8 with $2,550 at stake. Dawson Springs is the morning-line favourite in his first East Coast start for trainer Colin Johnson and owner Debbie Element, both of Village Green. Dowling picks up the drive behind the winner of $198,000. The Cantab Hall six-year-old made his latest start at Woodbine Mohawk Park on April 2, finishing fourth in 1:56.4. His chief rival on Thursday are Hop Up (Corey MacPherson), Glider Man (Hughes) and Labero (Barrieau).
Customers can drop by Red Shores Charlottetown or Summerside locations to buy their tickets starting at 12 p.m. (ADT) for May, June & July. Players, who purchase a wagering ticket, will have a chance to win with the Mystery Voucher promotion. Daily winners also qualify for the grand prize of $1,000 to be drawn later in the summer. Reservations are still available in the Top of the Park and Turf’s Bar & Grill.
(Red Shores)
To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Thursday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.