Red Shores has released previews of its cards of live harness racing that are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Freddie Headlines Thursday Top Trot
The Open Trot has been hotly contested all season at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park, but it appears as though Freddie could be in for some relief Thursday evening.
The CDP’s 10-dash Thursday card will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and will feature the Open Trot and the Alpine $5,000 claiming series.
A compact field of five is set to contest the $2,250 Open Trot (Race 7). Freddie is scheduled to line up in Post 5 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston. The seven-year-old son of Majestic Son has recorded five wins and four seconds from 11 seasonal outings. He will not have to contend with Majian Tango or Star Photo this week. It appears as though Hop Up will be the major threat to Freddie on Thursday. Driver Corey MacPherson is set to steer Hop Up. The Keith Campbell-trained daughter of Tad The Stud will start from Post 4 and is heading into the race fresh off of a second-place finish in which she was race-timed in 1:59.4. The field will also feature Suicide Shift (to be driven by Steven Shepherd), Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault) and Scary Good (Gilles Barrieau).
The $1,800 Grant Thornton Pace has been slotted as Race 6. Bettorthanbobbi will be riding a two-race win streak into Post 1. Bettorthanbobbi has been installed as the morning line favourite. Mark Bradley will drive the two-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar for trainer Tom Weatherbie and owner Ian Smith of Charlottetown.
A pair of $1,900 divisions of the Alpine $5,000 Claiming Series will be contested during the program. The divisions have been carded as Race 8 and 10.
For race programs 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.
Preferred Pacers Battle On Old Home Week Opener
Old Home Week 2019 will officially kick off Friday evening with a 10-race presentation at the CDP. First-race post time will be at 6:30 p.m.
The card’s featured dash will be the $2,750 Preferred 2 Pace (Race 9), ‘styled’ the Dr. Blair Kelly Memorial Pace, sponsored by the Charlottetown Vet Clinic. Red Magician heads into the race fresh off of a 1:55.2 victory at Red Shores’ Summerside Raceway. He is scheduled to start from Post 1 Friday for driver Adam Merner, trainer Melissa Rennie and owners Dale and Ronnie Rennie of Elmsdale. Governor’s Plate finalist Screen Test will start from Post 3 for driver Corey MacPherson. He cut out his most recent mile, but faded late to finish seventh. Top Inverness pacer Intended Royalty will ships in from Cape Breton and will start in Post 4. Marc Campbell is set to driver for trainer Randy Copley.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac will expect Screen Test to bounce back to his former Invitational form and hit the wire first.
“Screen Test burned a ton of money last week when he packed it in late, but maybe it just wasn't his day,” MacIsaac said. “Don't lose sight of the fact that he's been facing the bearcats all summer and holding his own. He'll be looking to redeem himself [Friday].”
The field will also feature Rockin Indy (David Dowling), The Big Bite (Walter Cheverie), Tempo Seelster (Ken Murphy) and Three Truths (Kenny Arsenault).
Woodmere Chella will headline the top mares pace on the card, which has been carded as Race 10 and will carry a purse of $2,200. Dowling drives the four-year-old daughter of Articulator for trainer Mike Dowling and owner Valleygrove Farms of Kensington. The mare drops out of the Open mares ranks into Friday’s contest and has drawn Post 6. Other top entries include West River Ambyr (Steven Shepherd) and Charlottes Western (Marc Campbell).
For race programs, promotional information and more, head to redshores.ca.
To view the harness racing entries for Friday at the CDP, click the following link: Friday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)