The top stakes trotters on the east coast of Canada will battle once again this Thursday at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park, as multiple divisions of PEI Colt Stakes are on tap.
First-race post time for the 13-dash card is 7 p.m. Three-year-old trotters will battle in two $5,150 divisions (Race 3 and Race 7), while the two-year-old trotters will also battle in two $5,200 divisions (Race 5 and Race 9).
Three-year-old trotting filly Paymenowpaymelater (PP3, Marc Campbell, 5-2) is the morning line favourite in Race 3, and she will face four rivals in her split. The daughter of Northern Bailey is trained by Earl Watts for owner Wade Peconi of Stanchel. Paymenowpaymelater captured her division of the Lady Slipper Stakes last week in a mark-lowering 2:01. She will face Sweetwater Rayne (to be driven by Jack Panting) and Tyne Valley (Mike Stevenson), among others, on Thursday.
Seven three-year-old male trotters will contest Race 7. The dash will feature a rematch from last week. JK Blaze will start from Post 2 for driver Walter Cheverie and owner-trainer Joe Smallwood of Stratford, while Phoenician will start from Post 1 for driver Jason Hughes and owner Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach.
Race 5, which will feature two-year-old trotters, will see Time Warp start from Post 1 for trainer/driver Danny MacDonald and owners Boyd MacDonald Produce of Crapaud, Daniel Ross of Belfast, William Andrew of Calgary and Brian Andrew of Milton. The Neal filly will face off with Howmac Gypsy (Jack Panting) and Unsinkable One (Corey MacPherson). The race has drawn a field of seven.
The program’s final stakes split will see the undefeated High Bid start from Post 4 for driver Walter Cheverie and owner/trainer Joe Smallwood. High Bid’s main threat could come from Post 6 starter Da Master, who will have Marc Campbell in the bike for trainer Thane Mann and owner Eric Johnston of Summerside.
The evening’s $1,900 pacing feature (Race 13) has Post 8 starter The Big Bite installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite. Mike Stevenson is scheduled to drive the early favourite for trainer Thane Arsenault and owners Jack Arsenault, Donna McIver, Edward Blaisdell and Deborah Wilson.
The evening will also feature the UPEI Panther’s Night at The Track. Fans will have a chance to meet the players and get details on their exciting packages for the upcoming season. Red Shores’ release states that some players will be teaming with horses and drivers on the first two races on the program.
To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)