Star Photo currently has the lead against his top Open trot competitor, and he will look to keep it that way this Thursday evening (June 27) at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
The track’s 12-dash card will get underway at 6:30 p.m. and the $2,400 Open Trot will line up for Race 8.
Star Photo will start from Post 5 this week after having tasted east coast defeat for the first time last week. He had won his first two Open Trots on Prince Edward Island for driver Jason Hughes and trainer Kevin Gillis, but finished second to Freddie last week. Freddie will start from the outside in the field of six with Marc Campbell in the bike for owner Three Wisemen Stable of Stratford.
Guccios Office will return to Island racing after having shipped out to Ontario last season. He will start from Post 1 for driver Ken Murphy and owner-trainer Kathleen Charlton of Charlottetown.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac is looking at post position as the deciding factor in who hits the wire first, so he will side with Star Photo this week. “Star Photo draws inside his main rival and it's been the difference in all three of their previous meetings and likely will be again [Thursday],” MacIsaac said.
Also in the Open trot field will be Hop Up (to be driven by Corey MacPherson), Suicide Shift (Steven Shepherd) and Majian Tango (Jim Ripley).
Race 11 will feature the top pace of the night. Charlottes Western has been posted as the morning line favourite from Post 3 for trainer-driver Campbell and owners Henry Smallwood and Cyril Harvey of Nova Scotia. Innocent Kiss (Adam Merner) will start from Post 2 and will look for redemption after having suffered a flat tire for the final quarter of her latest outing.
Catch the action live at the track or tune into the worldwide broadcast at redshores.ca.
To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)