A pair of horses on win streaks will collide as the top pacers in Eastern Canada meet Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash program gets underway at 6:00 p.m. at the Capital oval with the $4,000 P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association Invitational lining up in the finale.
Gold Cup and Saucer finalist Lisburn has rail control in the field of seven as he sits on two straight Preferred wins for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault and owner Kevin Harvey of Hammonds Plains, N.S. The four-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven has yet to miss the board in Atlantic Canada this season, including an open length win in 1:53.3 his last time out.
Euchred scorched the Truro Raceway in an identical time last week in the Johnny Conroy Memorial Invitational but will have to overcome post seven this week to find the winner's circle and extend his win streak to four straight. Trainer Walter Walker of Inverness, N.S., will entrust the driving duties to Mike McGuigan on Saturday evening.
Woodmere Ideal Art was a runner-up to Euchred last week and has post five in Saturday's class with David Dowling in the race bike for Sifroi Melanson of Greater Lakeburn, N.B. Top Island pacer Rose Run Quest is also in the field for trainer-driver Marc Campbell as the son of If I Can Dream boasts four straight top-three finishes.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees rail control as sealing the deal for Lisburn to find the winner's circle.
"Lisburn dominated his last two races from start to finish and with him landing on the pylons tonight we'll likely be looking at the same scenario," MacIsaac said. "Other than the short price there's not much to dislike."
Completing the field are Burn Out Hanover (Corey MacPherson), Bugsy Maguire (Jason Hughes) and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie).
Sodwana Bay will look to continue her Fillies and Mares Open pace domination in the ninth race of the program, sporting a $2,750 purse. Dale Spence picks up the catch driving assignment from trainer Gilles Barrieau, who is competing in stakes action in Nova Scotia. With four straight wins on her card, Sodwana Bay's six rivals will have their hands full Saturday evening. Some top entries in that class include Jordies Hope (Arsenault) and Traces Of Purple (Campbell).
For race programs, promotional information and more go to Redshores.ca. To view entries for Saturday's card, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Red Shores Charlottetown.
(with files from Red Shores)