MacPherson fires five winners to close in on driving title

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Corey MacPherson made a major move in the Summerside Raceway driving standings Wednesday evening with five harness racing victories at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

MacPherson entered the 14-dash program with 39 victories on the season, eight behind leading driver Paul Langille, and his five-win performance moved him to 44 victories to narrow the gap to three with racing continuing at the Prince County oval into November.

Langille remains on top with 47 victories while Marc Campbell sits third with 38.

MacPherson started his five-win night in the opener aboard Sporty Spice ($27.90), who rallied to win in 2:00 for trainer-owner Sylvia Hall Andrews.

The Cornwall reinsman returned to the winner’s circle in race 7 with La Barbe ($3.90), who controlled the mile and drew away by five-and-a-half lengths in 1:58.3 for trainer Taylor Doyle. The six-year-old son of Sunshine Beach is owned by Vance Cameron of Summerside, Brenda MacInnis of Summerside and Lynn Whitlock of Pleasant Valley.

MacPherson then put together three straight victories late on the card beginning with Saulsbrook Fancy ($5.40) in race 10. The Chris Mackay trainee controlled the mile en route to a 2:00.2 victory for owners Jordan Mackay of French River and John Mehlenbacher of Oakville, Ont.

MacPherson and Mackay struck again in race 11 as Pyrenees Hanover ($3.90) went all the way in 1:56. The five-year-old son of American Ideal is owned by Charles Gaudreault, Maxim Gaudreault and Daniel Gaudreault of Quebec.

Sharky ($4.90) completed the MacPherson five-bagger in race 12 as he took command approaching three-quarters and won by two-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:57.3. Taylor Doyle trains the Hes Watching gelding for himself and John McGuirk of Kensington.
Jason Hughes guided Twin B John B ($28.30) to a front-end 1:58.2 victory in race 5 for the first part of a triple for trainer Chris Mackay.

The $6,900 Preferred 1 Pace in race 13 went to Doc Awesome ($15.10) and driver Adam Merner in 1:55.1. The Darla MacEachern trainee sat fifth before unleashing a 28.2 final quarter to defeat Gigis Dream (Jason Hughes) and Brookdale Johnny (Ken Murphy). MacEachern shares ownership of Doc Awesome with Allen Gaudet and Mike Cameron, all of Summerside.

Howmac Charger ($40.70) supplied the largest win price of the evening in race 2 as Zach Conway guided the Paul Conway trainee to a 2:02 victory.

The P.E.I. Matinee Finals were also part of the Wednesday program with three classes contested.

Red Dirt Nella Bella and Tyler Neill captured the Class C final in 2:05.2 after fractions of 30.3, 1:01.2 and 1:32.3. Camco Karlie and Aubon Doucette finished second with Adkins Hanover and Cy Poirier third.

The Class B final, racing for the Province of P.E.I. Trophy, went to Woodmere Cheetah and Lucas Bailey in 2:03.3. The winning tandem cut fractions of 30.3, 1:00.1 and 1:31 before stopping the clock in 2:03.3. Legal Jargon and Tyler Neill were second while Highly Toxic and Paul Conway completed the top three.

Bailey doubled up in the P.E.I. Matinee Finals by winning the Class A final with Venus N Serena in 2:00. The mile featured fractions of 29.1, 59 and 1:30.2. Elm Grove Treasure and Tucker Wallace finished second with Buddys N Virgins and Christopher Neill third.

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

To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Summerside Raceway.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores