Hellabalou headlines New Start Standardbreds Maritimes card

SUMMERSIDE, PE – A Canada Day program with a special spotlight on New Start Standardbreds Maritimes and a heavyweight tilt in the top class will hit the track Wednesday afternoon at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

The Prince County oval has a 13-dash presentation starting at 12;30 P.M., with the $6,250 Preferred 2 pace lining up in race 12.

Newcomer Hellabalou has been installed as the top choice from the outside post 7 with Paul Langille training and driving for owner Nikway Farms of St. Davids, N.L. The eight-year-old son of Sweet Lou has $1.8 million in career earnings after a career as one of the top free-for-allers in North America. He most recently has strung together four straight wins in the Open level at Northfield Park in Ohio in the Ron Burke Stable.

Miki Shan N is another major player from post 4 with Corey MacPherson in the seat for trainer Chris Mackay. The New Zealand-bred son of Always B Miki is the defending Gold Cup and Saucer and Governor’s Plate champion and has never tasted defeat in Atlantic Canada.

Also in the field are PL Quicksand (To be driven by Ken Murphy), Tony Too Tall (Kyle Desroche), Sure Thing Captain (Jason Hughes), Freemans Legacy (Jaycob Sweet) and Doc Awesome (Brady Sweet).

The Backstretch Beat likes Hellabalou on top.

“Hellabalou is unquestionably one of the greatest half-mile horses in the history of the sport and He can race on the front or off the pace so seven hole or not we have to use him on top. A horse of this caliber usually only shows on P.E.I. on a Saturday night in August. Race fans are about to be in for a treat.”

The historic Canada Day Pace is also on the program in race 5 with the MacKay trained Saulsbrook Fancy (MacPherson) the top selection from post 3

The program will also feature races sponsored in support of New Start Standardbreds Maritimes, an adoption and aftercare program that works to rehome retired racehorses when their career on the track comes to a close.

“New Start Standardbreds was founded in 2020 with a simple but powerful mission: to ensure every Standardbred has the opportunity for a safe, happy, and meaningful life after racing,” said Christina Wright-Robertson of New Start Standardbreds Maritimes.

The program now operates across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, providing support for retired Standardbreds as they transition into their next chapter. Since its founding, more than 350 Standardbreds have found safe, loving homes through the New Start program.

“In 2026 alone, 55 Standardbreds have already been placed across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes,” Wright-Robertson said. “Remarkably, 25 of those placements have been right here in the Maritimes, reflecting the incredible growth of our regional program and the unwavering support of our local racing and equine community.”

The Maritimes division launched in 2024 and continues to grow thanks to the dedication of owners, trainers, racetracks, adopters, foster homes, volunteers and donors throughout Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

“Together, we’re proving that a Standardbred’s value extends far beyond the finish line,” Wright-Robertson said.

The day has New Start Standardbreds Maritimes sponsorship throughout the card. Race 1 is sponsored by Rick Armstrong Stable, race 2 by Christina Wright-Robertson, race 3 by Janice Hubbard Stable and race 4 by Helen Landry. Symes’ Horse Transport presents race 6, Langille Racing sponsors race 7, Penn Hills Stable sponsors race 8, MPHRC sponsors race 9, Kickin Horse Stable sponsors race 10 and Ultimate Stable sponsors race 11.

“People often ask why I do this,” Wright-Robertson said. “The answer is simple: these horses have given so much throughout their racing careers, and they deserve every opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling life afterward.”

The aftercare program continues to expand across the region with every placement representing a new beginning for a retired racehorse.

“Every successful placement is a reminder that retirement isn’t the end of a Standardbred’s story. It’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter,” Wright-Robertson said. “Every adoption is more than finding a home—it’s giving a horse the second chance they have earned.”

Play at the track or from home through HPIBET.COM. For the Race Day broadcast, race programs and more go to Redshores.ca.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores