After putting together one of the greatest sophomore seasons in the history of Atlantic Canadian harness racing, Sock It Away will make his first Canadian start of 2019 on Saturday evening (July 6) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash Saturday program kicks off at 6 p.m. Atlantic time. The $2,800 featured Preferred Pace hits the track in race 11, where Sock It Away will start a fresh season.
Corey MacPherson will handle the Kevin MacLean-trained and Reg MacPherson-owned champion pacer. A winner of 20 of 21 races as a three-year-old in 2018 in Atlantic Canada, Sock It Away was then sent to the United States with trainer Andrew Harris, and recorded just one second-place finish from seven starts with his final American outing on April 9. The son of Pang Shui was then taken back to P.E.I. and given a rest before he resurfaced last week in a qualifier.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees the race as Sock It Away’s to lose with the ideal post in a tight-knit field of six.
“The incredible three-year-old season he had last year didn't mean much when he headed south of the border, and after a few starts down there he was looking for his mother,” MacIsaac said. “He's now back to more familiar surroundings and coming off a nice qualifier. The rail just adds to his appeal.”
Other entries are Jeb (Jason Hughes), Santanna Sass (Kenny Arsenault), Rollwithitharry (Gilles Barrieau), Eagle Jolt (Marc Campbell) and Rockin Indy (David Dowling).
The back-up class will line up behind the Metro Home Hardware starting gate in race 8, with another MacLean-trained pacer, Forever Paradise, installed as the favourite in the $2,500 event. Campbell is in the bike for owners Reg MacPherson, David MacKenzie and Aaron MacKenzie. The top contenders to Forever Paradise include Noplay (Ken Murphy) and Midnight Matt (Hughes).
Trainer Deanna Clow will be special guest on Inside Track with broadcaster Peter MacPhee. The segment airs at 5:35 p.m. on the Red Shores Network.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Red Shores Charlottetown.
(Red Shores)