Consistency carries MacPherson to Driving Challenge crown

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Driver Corey MacPherson used consistency to capture the Paul MacDonald Memorial Driving Challenge during Horseperson’s Day, presented by the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association, Tuesday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

MacPherson recorded three second-place finishes and a fourth from his four driving challenge assignments to secure the harness racing title.

Paul Langille and David Dowling each won two legs of the four-race challenge but fell short in the point totals as MacPherson won with 26 points over Dowling (26) and Langille (21).

Langille opened the competition with Freight Air ($23.10), who rallied to win in 1:59.3 for trainer Neil Bambrick and owner Alex MacPhee of Clyde River. Mr Rielly (Driven by MacPherson) was second with Proudofyatoday (Gilles Barrieau) third.

Dowling controlled the race with Geishas Treasure ($6.20) in the second leg, stopping the clock in 1:57.3 for trainer Brendan Mullen and owner Blaize Rogerson of Tracadie Cross over Mach Art In Motion (MacPherson) and Neptune Seelster (Harold Shepherd).

Dowling returned to the winner’s circle with Shadows Terror ($8.10) in Leg 3 in 1:57.2 from the Lenny Myers stable with Big Pond Cash (Barrieau) second and Here Comes Emmett (Adam Merner) third while MacPherson was fourth with Cheekie Play.
Langille closed the challenge with a front-end victory aboard his own trainee Good Omen ($4.20) in 1:57.2. Evil Vintage (MacPherson) snagged second as Blue Moose (Dowling) was third.

In other action, Brookdale Johnny ($11.90) prevailed in the $17,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Gold final for horse and gelding pacer with Ken Murphy driving for trainer Phil Sizer and owner-breeders Doug Polley Sr., and Doug Polley Jr., of Amherst, N.S. The six-year-old son of Rockin In Heaven advanced first-over and took command approaching the stretch before holding off favourite Malevolent (Langille) by half a length in 1:54.2. Merigo Magic (Adam Merner) finished third.

Murphy also teamed with trainer Clifford Murphy to win the $6,250 Preferred Pace with Arbitrage Hanover ($2.60). The five-year-old son of Bettors Wish moved first-over and powered past pacesetter JMR Speak Away (Gilles Barrieau) to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:53.4. Fast Louie (Dowling) completed the triactor. Arbitrage Hanover is owned by Ken, Glenn and Justin Hardie of Nova Scotia.

Barrieau topped all drivers on the 15-dash program with four victories. His winners were Bettim Relentless ($7.20) in 2:01.1 for trainer Stephen Quinn and Cattle Call ($4.20) in 1:56.4, T H Boomtown ($3.40) in 1:56.1 and Air Force Hanover ($7.40) in a 1:53.4 victory, all for trainer Ron Matheson.

Jason Hughes also recorded a driving triple. Tobins Nibbler ($4.90) won the opener in 1:59.3 and Goose Commander ($3.40) took race 12 in 1:59.1, with both winners trained by Ashley Gamester for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. Hughes also guided Whiskey In The Jar ($7.50) to a five-length score in 1:58.4 for trainer Luke Burke.

Live racing continues Thursday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown. For more go to Redshores.ca.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores