The action will heat up in the open pacing mare ranks Thursday evening (May 31) at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 10-dash program will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and the top pacing mares will line up in the evening’s finale.
Prettyndangerous has been installed as the early favourite in the $2,350 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. Adam Merner will be in the bike from Post 2 for trainer/co-owner Bo Ford and Arnold Myers of Charlottetown. The eight-year-old daughter of Armbro Deuce has yet to race during the summer meet on Prince Edward Island, but has put together a pair of impressive qualifiers in preparation for her east coast season.
West River Ambyr was the winner in the class last week and has retained the services of driver Steven Shepherd. The duo will start from Post 3, while Ramblinglily will start from Post 4 with Gary Chappell in the bike after having won her first start of the season in a lower class.
Other entrants include Collective Wisdom (driven by Gilles Barrieau), Julep Hanover (Wade Myers), Best Risque (Corey MacPherson) and Shadows Mystery (Dale Spence).
The top trotters on Canada’s eastern seaboard will line up for Race 7, which is the $1,800 Open Trot. Osprey Impact, who was spectacular last season while racing in New England, returns to Island racing for owner/trainer Paul Larrabee of Belle River. Walter Cheverie has received the catch-driving call. Rosberg will make his east coast debut with rail control in the top trot for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owner Jennifer Doyle of Vernon Bridge. The four-year-old son of Manofmanymissions has four lifetime wins, including a trip in 1:58 over the half-mile oval at Flamboro Downs in Ontario. Freddie fell short in his first start of the season as the heavy favourite, but has a chance for redemption Thursday from Post 5 in the Open Trot for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. Last week’s Open winner, Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault), will start from Post 4, while Holy Molie Maggie (MacPherson) will start from Post 2.
Race 8 will be the $1,300 Newcap Radio Pace. Swingirl has been installed as the favourite, but will have to start from the outside Post 6 for driver Corey MacPherson and owner Red Island Horseowner’s Club of Stratford.
Rookie driver Drew Neill will continue his quest for his first lifetime driving win in Race 4. The 18-year-old Winsloe resident will drive former free-for-all pacer All Turain, who has been installed as the morning line favourite from Post 4 for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Lee Hicken of Charlottetown.
To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)