Fight Song strikes six as Campbell makes history

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Fight Song extended his winning streak to six straight victories while Landon Campbell tied the P.E.I.-based rookie driving record Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

FIGHT SONG REPLAY

Fight Song ($2.80) continued his dominance of the Open Trot ranks in the $6,050 race 6 feature with Jason Hughes handling the driving duties for trainer Ashley Gamester and owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. The seven-year-old son of Kadabra controlled the mile through fractions of 28.3, 58.3 and 1:28.2 before holding off West River Jet (Kenny Arsenault) by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.4. Rina Labelle (Landon Campbell) completed the triactor.

Landon Campbell, son of 16-time straight dash title champion Marc Campbell, made history in race 2 as he captured his 32nd victory of his rookie driving season to tie the P.E.I.-based rookie driving record established by Austin Sorrie in 2018. Campbell guided his own trainee Howmac Prime Time ($6.10) to a gate-to-wire victory in 2:05.1, defeating My Pocket Rocket (Ken Murphy) by one length. Savage Stable and Brad Campbell of Stratford own the three-year-old E L Rocket gelding.

Badgirl Bridgette ($4.70) delivered a powerful late charge to capture the $6,350 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace in race 13 with David Dowling in the race bike for trainer-owner Bill Lanigan of Montague. The four-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Terror was fourth early as Brokeandoutofgas (Gilles Barrieau) controlled fractions of 27.3, 56.2 and 1:25.2. Dowling moved Badgirl Bridgette first-over approaching three-quarters before the mare powered home in 28.4 to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:54.4. Tobins Brownie (Adam Merner) finished second with favourite Brokeandoutofgas third.

Hailforcewins ($5.40) captured race 5 with Hughes driving to double trainer Ashley Gamester for owners Donna MacLean and Courtney MacLean of Fairview. The three-year-old daughter of Tobago Cays rallied from fifth to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:01.1 over Woodmere Cheetah (Myles Heffernan Jr.) and Lyons Hungry Apple (Murphy).

Whiskey Station ($3.60) captured race 7 with Barrieau in the bike as the four-year-old Papi Rob Hanover mare controlled the mile to win by one-and-a-half lengths in 2:00.1. Darrell Neill trains the winner for himself, Tyler Neill and Ryan Neill of Winsloe in the opening leg of the PEIHRIA Fall Series.

The PEIHRIA Fall Series also featured an upset in the opening race as Dollys Sky ($27.40) rallied from fourth to capture the $4,000 division by half a length in 1:59 for driver Murphy and trainer Mario Macri. Vance MacMillan of West Cape owns the 10-year-old Dali mare who defeated Shoot To Thrill (Ryan Desroche), with Zendayasfancypants (MacPherson) and Lorne Valley Liv (Myles Heffernan Jr.) dead-heating for third.

Princess Halo ($2.30) captured another $3,500 PEIHRIA Fall Series division in race 10 with Brady Sweet in the bike for trainer Garth Cole. The six-year-old Hilarious Halo mare led throughout to win by one-and-a-half lengths in 2:00 over Skip Across (Hughes) and J J Kinley (Campbell). Cole shares ownership with Alfred Baglole of Freetown.

Live racing continues Saturday at 12:30 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown. For more go to Redshores.ca.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores