The rookie trotting stars of Atlantic Canadian harness racing will meet Thursday evening (August 26) in the Brian Andrew Memorial Stakes at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash presentation has a 6 p.m. opening post time with $12,150 Andrew divisions in Races 2 and 4.
Up Helly AA headlines the eight-horse field in Race 4 in an Andrew split for two-year-old trotting colts. Driver Ken MacDonald will strut his .792 driving average into the division as the Antigonish, P.E.I. reinsman has 11 wins from just 15 driving starts in 2021. His wife, Clare MacDonald, trains the son of Armbro Barrister for owner Riley Farms Ltd., of Summerside, P.E.I. Up Helly AA has won his last four stakes races including taking a mark of 2:04.4 at Summerside and equalling it in Charlottetown. Stablemate Cadillac leaves from post eight in the class with Clare MacDonald training and driving the son of Tad The Stud who scored his first victory last week in Atlantic Sires Stakes action in Charlottetown in 2:04.3.
Ontario-bred Pay Up Jack is also in the field for trainer/driver Kenny Arsenault from post five. The Angus Hall colt was a winner in 2:04.2 his last outing.
Peter MacPhee likes Up Helly AA on top of the Post Time Picks as the most probable winner of the night. “Up Helly AA is rolling along right now and has won four straight at four different tracks across the Maritimes. We’re wagering MacDonald will want to boss it from the word 'go' and if they do clear to the lead, it could be a high five.”’
The other $12,150 Andrew Memorial division lines up in Race 2 for the two-year-old trotting fillies. Red Shores Summerside track record holder Defriended has post three in the class with Myles Heffernan Sr. above the wheels for owner Jackie Heffernan and trainer Myles Heffernan Jr. Other top entries in the distaff are Along For The Ride (to be driven by Brian MacPhee) and Berts Legacy (Paul Lanigan).
Race 6 is the D and G Younker Memorial with Mile Hill Willie (Gilles Barrieau) making his return to action off a month-long hiatus in the $2,100 class.
Race 7 is the Happy 80th Birthday Bert McWade Pace with Top Of Her Trade (Walter Cheverie) favoured for the lion’s share of $1,600.
Catch all the action live at the track or tune into the worldwide broadcast at Redshores.ca. Live streaming is also available on the Red Shores Youtube page and you can wager online at HPIBet.com.
To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Thursday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)