Badgirl Bridgette leads Hughes four bagger

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Badgirl Bridgette (Stonebridge Terror) powered away from her harness racing rivals in the Thursday evening feature as driver Jason Hughes celebrated four victories at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The Bill Lanigan-owned and trained Badgirl Bridgette ($4) sat fifth through early fractions of 27.2 and 56.4 before advancing first-over and taking command approaching three-quarters in 1:25.2. The four-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Terror then opened up on the field to win the $5,550 Fillies and Mares Preferred 1 pace by five-lengths in 1:54.3.

Redland Misspretty (Driven by Paul Langille) finished second with Windemere Saddy (Ken Murphy) completing the triactor.

Hughes also teamed up with trainer Ashley Gamester for a pair of victories, including a dominant performance from Serenity Now ($2.10) in race 13. The three-year-old daughter of Sportswriter controlled every fraction before drawing away by eight-lengths in 1:54.1 for owner Kurt Hughes of Alexandra.

Fight Song ($4.50) supplied another Hughes-Gamester victory in the $5,500 Open Trot in race 12. The seven-year-old trotter cut fractions of 28.4, 57.2 and 1:27.1 before winning by two-and-a-half lengths in 1:55.3 for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge.

Hughes began his four-win night with Howmac Charger ($7.40), who led throughout the fifth race and stopped the clock in 1:59.1 for trainer Paul Conway.

Brokeandoutofgas ($3.90) captured the $4,750 Fillies and Mares Preferred 3 pace for Canada’s Leading Dash Winning Driver Austin Sorrie for owner-trainer Tammy Collings of Hazel Brook. The five-year-old mare cleared to the lead before three-quarters and held off Sectionline Flame (Murphy) by a head in 1:54 flat. Vibrance (Hughes) completed the triactor.

Oneformybaby ($12.40) controlled the race 7 pace and held off Dee (Hughes) by one length in 1:55.2. Adam Merner trains and drives the winning mare for owners Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris and Perry Burke of Quebec. Merner also hit the winner’s circle in race 6 with two-year-old maiden pacing filly Howmac Galway ($14.40), who won in 2:01.2 for owners Steven MacDonald of Stanhope and Tommy Collings of Mount Stewart.

Landon Campbell had three training victories on the program, beginning with Rina Labelle ($2.90) in race 2. Marc Campbell supplied the winning drive as the sophomore trotting filly rallied to prevail by a head in 1:58.4 for owner Noreen Stymest of Nova Scotia.

Marc Campbell also steered Landon Campbell trainee Howmac Prime Time ($6.90) to a 2:02.3 victory in race 4 for owners Savage Stable and Brad Campbell of Stratford.

Landon Campbell completed his training triple in race 8, this time with the trainer in the bike behind Galway Girl ($4.40) in 1:56.4.

Elm Grove Talia ($6.40) captured race 10 in 1:56.4 for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Luke Burke and owners Kingsley Walsh, Frank Balcom and Burke. Barrieau and Burke also teamed up with Promise Me Later ($4.70), who won the race 15 finale in 1:56.4 for Walsh and Balcom.

Live racing is scheduled to continue Saturday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown featuring the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owner’s Association Driving Championship. For more go to Redshores.ca.

To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.