The finest pacers to grace the Eastern Seaboard of Canada will lock bridles Sunday afternoon while vying for a spot in the 52nd edition of the Governor’s Plate at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The 10-dash Sunday program has a 1:00 p.m. start time with two full fields of eight competing in the $5,000 eliminations of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge. The top four in both eliminations will advance to next Saturday’s (July 11) prestigious final.
The first elimination is in the ninth race with Avatar J the odds-on choice from Post 2. He'll team up with the arriving Gilles Barrieau for trainer Danny MacDonald and owners Dean Larkin of Edwards, Ont., and Jody Sanderson of Cornwall.
Screen Test has knocked off the Preferred pacers twice so far since the resumption of racing in June and will leave from Post 5 for driver Corey MacPherson.
Euchred stands undefeated on the East Coast in 2020 including a 1:54.2 scorching performance over the Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia on June 26. Redmond Doucet will drive the Walter Walker trainee from the outside Post 8. Completing the first elimination are Mantario (Kenny Arsenault), Shadow Of A Daut (David Dowling), Soccer Hanover (Adam Merner), Time To Dance (Marc Campbell) and Woodmere Ideal Art (Robert Laffin).
Defending Governor’s Plate champion Rose Run Quest and trainer-driver Marc Campbell have rail control in the second $5,000 elimination, slated as the tenth and final on the card. The Blair Hansen-owned pacer has consistently been at the top end of competition on the East Coast since coming to P.E.I. in 2017.
Simple Kinda Man knocked off the Preferred class last week for his first East Coast victory since relocating from the U.S. Jason Hughes will drive the former $200,200 Battle Of Waterloo winner from Post 5 for trainer Chris MacKay. Gold Cup & Saucer finalist Lisburn leaves from Post 4 with Arsenault at the lines after knocking on the door at the Preferred level the last two weeks.
Rounding out the field are Hes Marvalous (Myles Heffernan Sr.), Bugsy Maguire (Brodie MacPhee), Mick Dundee (Don MacNeill), Rockin Indy (Merner) and Silver Beast (Dowling).
For live video, race programs and more go to Redshores.ca and wager online at HPIBet.com. To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Red Shores Summerside.
(Red Shores)