A field of pacing heavyweights will face off Saturday evening in the featured Preferred Pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 10-dash Saturday card kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with the $3,200 Preferred Pace slated as the ninth race. Red Shores will again offer drive-in wagering for Saturday’s card on the patio of Red Shores Charlottetown from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Avatar J headlines the compact field of six preferred pacers as the Ontario ship-in leaves from Post 4. The talented six-year-old son of American Ideal moves into the Danny MacDonald stable for owners Dean Larkin of Edwards, Ont., and Jody Sanderson of Cornwall with Jason Hughes picking up the catch-driving assignment. The winner of $170,000 lifetime is fresh off a 1:56.1 qualifying victory at the capital oval.
Screen Test was much the best in last week’s preferred but will leave on the grandstand side of his foes on Saturday for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Ronnie Gass. Governor’s Plate champion Rose Run Quest has Post 5 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell as the pacer looks for redemption after falling short as last week’s favourite.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sides with Avatar J for the top piece of his ticket.
“Avatar J barely broke a sweat in the qualifier with opening and closing panels in 28 and change,” MacIsaac said. “You would have to think he can only be better tonight and if that's the case there could be nothing to stand in his way.”
The other entries in the Preferred are Mantario (Kenny Arsenault), Soccer Hanover (Adam Merner) and Beyondthesilence N (Chris Davies).
The evening finale will see the return of two of the top rookie pacing colts of the 2019 season as Tobins Rebel and Windemere Ryan make their first sophomore starts. Tobins Rebel has rail control in the $2,200 class as MacPherson will hold the lines in place of trainer Gilles Barrieau for owner Daniel Ross of Belfast. Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Windemere Ryan will leave from Post 3 with Adam Merner in the race bike for trainer Melissa Rennie and owner High Five Racing Stable of Stanhope.
For race programs, live video and more go to Redshores.ca and go to HPIbet.com to wager live from home. To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(with files from Red Shores)