A rookie will take on the veterans on Thursday night (July 25) in the featured race at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
The program’s top class (Race 10) will see a tight-knit group of seven vie for the lion’s share of a $2,500 pot. The 12-dash card will see its first race head behind the gate at 6:30 p.m.
Rookie driver Zach Conway will be searching for his first lifetime win in the top event and will start from Post 3 with Noudidnt Blue Chip for owner-trainer Neal Moase of Warren Grove. The six-year-old son of Roll With Joe last competed in the Governor’s Plate consolation at Red Shores’ Summerside Raceway.
IC True Grit is heading into the race off of four consecutive top-two finishes and Mike McGuigan will drive the morning line favourite from Post 6. Likely To Win (to be driven by Adam Merner) is riding a two-race win streak and will start from Post 5, while Jeb (Jason Hughes) will have rail control and will be dropping down from the Preferred 2 class.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac has elected to go a different route, as he has sided with Post 2 starter Eagle Jolt, who will have Walter Cheverie subbing in for regular driver Marc Campbell.
“Eagle Jolt tends to lag at the start but he's a rallying threat, so if he gets some live flow and a cover trip to bring him into it late his chances go way up,” MacIsaac said.
The field will also feature Rockin Indy (Ken Murphy) and Mando Fun (Kenny Arsenault).
Majian Tango will look to replicate his Open Trot victory from last Thursday in Race 9. Jim Ripley will be back in the bike for owner Marylea Ripley of Amherst, NS and will start from Post 4. Star Photo (Hughes) will start from Post 3 this week, while Freddie (Cheverie) will start from Post 5.
Race 6 will be the Charlottetown Pony Club 50th Anniversary Pace and Medici Hanover will be looking for redemption after having made a break as the favourite Sunday afternoon at Summerside. Gilles Barrieau will be back in the race bike for the Thursday card and will steer Medici Hanover from Post 4 for trainer Don Milligan of Tyne Valley.
For race programs, promotional information and more, head to redshores.ca.
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)