The Kensington duo of Culpepper and Capitalism will face off as top contenders in Thursday evening's featured pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
First race post time is 6:30 p.m. with the Kristina McCourt-trained pair of Culpepper and Capitalism leaving from Posts 1 and 6, respectively, in the Race 9 $1,700 featured event in Charlottetown.
Culpepper has been razor sharp since arriving on the East coast with two wins and a huge second place finish (while recovering from a break) for driver Jason Hughes and owners McCourt along with 11-year-old Braedon McKenna of Kensington. The grey son of Camluck is installed at 3-1 odds off the rail. Capitalism drops down in class this week for driver Adam Merner but has not missed the board in his last five outings for owner-trainer McCourt.
Post 7 has hardy campaigner Smiley Bayama with Ron Gass training and driving from his Cornwall stable. The nine-year-old son of Aces Up is dropping out of the preferred ranks and was a winner his last start at this level.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac is looking for a mild upset victory from Capitalism in Thursday's main event.
"Capitalism got a late start to his season so he should be just about where he wants to be now from a conditioning standpoint," MacIsaac said. "Not sure he can get a trip from out here but he’s a potential sleeper if he does."
Other entries include Hemingway (Vaughan Doyle), Shock The Rock (Brandon Webster), Four Corners (Gilles Barrieau) and Tempo Seelster (Vincent Poulton).
A tight field of six open trotters line up in Race 7 for a $1,850 purse. Noticeably absent in this race is Freddie, whose trainer-driver Marc Campbell is vacationing in Ohio for the Little Brown Jug. With that dominating combination out of the picture, the door is wide open for the favourably positioned Kennel Buddy from Post 1 for owner-trainer-driver David Dowling. Dusty Lane Jacob has been acquitting himself well in Open trot competition and gets Merner in the bike again from Post 3 this week while the ultra-consistent Holy Molie Maggie leaves from Post 2.
The Animal Nutrition Association Of Canada Pace hits the track in Race 8 for a $1,200 pot with SOS Bambie the morning line choice. Mark Bradley subs in to drive for trainer Gary Chappell and owner Ryan MacDonald of Halifax.
The Bank Of Montreal Business Banking Group pace is in race 6 and Derreen is top choice for driver Dowling and trainer Kenneth Wilkie of Stratford. Race 1 is sponsored by Chartered Professional Accountants of Prince Edward Island and the event will see WC Nellie J attempt to break her maiden for trainer-driver Hughes.
For entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Charlottetown.
(with files from Red Shores)