Officials from Red Shores have sent out the organization’s preview for the weekend of live harness racing at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway.
The Bring a Friend promotion, which has Standardbred Canada teaming up with tracks across the country, will also be taking place at Red Shores over the course of the weekend. For complete details on Red Shores’ BAF plans for Saturday and Sunday, click here.
The CDP’s Saturday program (first-race post time is 6 p.m.) includes an impressive line-up from one of Atlantic Canada’s newest stables. Foxyhall Racing, owned by Ron Hall of Summerside PE, has joined forces with trainer-driver Jason Hughes of Charlottetown. The partnership has been successful so far. Narragansett, a five-year-old brown gelding by Rocknroll Hanover, will attempt for his third win in a row in Race 9. It won’t be easy with red hot Camcun off the rail who is sporting a three-race win streak for Kenny Arsenault.
There are two new horses out of the Foxyhall stable that have been noticed by the rail-birds. Say It Again Sam has won both starts since arriving from Mohawk, including a 1:58.2 posting and final quarter charted in a dazzling 27.4 seconds. He is favoured to win his assignment in Race 4. Astor moves to the Island from Yonkers Raceway in New York. The son of Camluck won his qualifier by a whopping 21 lengths in 1:57.2 and starts from Post 8 in race 7 for Hughes.
In other action, All Turain will try to extend his winning streak to nine when the pacer goes to the gate in the evening’s featured event in Race 11. Brodie MacPhee will be back in the bike for trainer-owner Trevor Hicken and his co-owner Lee Hicken. Cambest Kisser (PP1), Touch of Lightning (PP2), Perfect Escape (PP3), Judge Jon (PP4), R Sonoflife (PP5), All Turain (PP6) will complete the field.
A familiar name returns to the racetrack for the 2014 campaign. Zip The Lip, owned by Orville Willis and Don Sweet of O’Leary, has drawn the rail for his regular pilot Brian MacPhee in the Open Trot.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
Hail The Taxi will make his Prince Edward Island debut Sunday in the top class at Summerside. Post time for the 12-dash card is 1 p.m. The Bring a Friend to the track promotion, presented by Standardbred Canada, will also highlight the card with race hostess Marie MacRae taking guests on behind-the-scenes tours, winner’s circle presentations and prize draws.
Hail The Taxi joins the Darren Trainor stable after competing on the Ontario circuit at Mohawk Racetrack, Flamboro Downs, Woodbine Racetrack and The Raceway at Western Fair District. The four-year-old qualified over Mohawk in 1:55.2. Gilles Barrieau is listed to drive from Post 4. Here is the field: Outside the Wire (PP1), Lucky Encounter (PP2), High Bar (PP3), Hail The Taxi (PP4), McMaverick (PP5), Ultimate Luck (PP6), SA Summers Luck (PP7).
The afternoon back-class has Acton O So Royal listed as the 5-2 morning line favourite for owner-trainer Wayne Pike. The pacer has a win and a third from three starts this season. Regular pilot Mark Bradley is on stakes assignment in Truro, so Norris Rogers will pick up the catch-drive. Veterans Blu Meadow Willie and Life Savior are also triactor possibilities.
The always popular Barn 4 will send out some contenders on the program. Joachim, owned by Wendell and Robbie Shaw, Summerside and Derek Folland, steps on the track to compete in Race 9 for catch-driver Michael McGuigan while owner-trainer and driver Rocky Schurman handles Carrera Angel in Race 10. Schurman and Carrera Angel won the Summerside pace during the big O’Brien Awards race card in February.
Silverhill Lucky hasn’t missed the top three yet this season. The colt gets top billing once again when he competes in Race 6 for owner Casey Gavin, Tignish, trainer Thane Mann and driver Terry Gallant. This combination is one of the hottest teams on the grounds right now.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Summerside, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)