A former great in eastern Ontario racing will try his luck against Thursday night’s finest at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
Montreal Phil has been favoured for the program’s $2,000 feature (Race 11). The 12-year-old veteran was a former preferred pacer at Rideau Carleton Raceway, but after Alpine Claiming Series action during Old Home Week he now finds himself trained by Stratford’s Patrick Shepherd and owned by Stephen Morton of Nova Scotia.
Montreal Phil pushed himself over $700,000 mark in career earnings during his latest outing, which was a 1:57.4 score for Brad Forward. On Thursday he will start from Post 2 with Walter Cheverie in the bike.
Perfect Escape (who will be driven by Gilles Barrieau) looms a danger from Post 1, as he is riding a two-race win streak. Doing Some Damage (Corey MacPherson) has left preferred for Thursday’s tilt and has drawn Post 6. Ryan Desroche will make his top-class debut on the program, as the 18-year-old Prince Country native will drive Eagle Jolt from Post 5 for trainer Marc Campbell.
Other entries include Cambest Kisser (Jason Hughes), Waterside Light (Campbell), Athletic Putnam (Brian MacPhee), and Cabo Pan Lucas (Vincent Poulton).
A group of seven Open trotters will contest Race 8. Newly-minted Charlottetown track record holder Osprey Impact has drawn Post 3 with Cheverie in the bike for owner-trainer Paul Larabee of Belle River. The five-year-old daughter of Federal Flex scored a 1:57.2 victory on Gold Cup and Saucer Night to erase Thunderaway’s track record. Freddie (Campbell) will seek redemption off the rail with other top entries like Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault) from post 4 and Holy Molie Maggie (MacPherson) with post 5.
First-race post time for the 12-dash card will be 6:30 p.m.
To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)