Mappos Lion pounces late as Woodmere Rock It stays perfect

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Mappos Lion closed hard to capture the $10,000 P.E.I. Free For All Series harness racing event Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Ryan Desroche sent Mappos Lion first-over from third, and the nine-year-old gelding wore down pacesetter Ammo to win by half a length in 1:51.1. Arbitrage Hanover (Driven by Ken Murphy) rallied for second, with Jmr Speak Away (Adam Merner) third. Taylor Doyle trains Mappos Lion ($6.30) for owners Hailee Currie of Rocky Point, P.E.I., and Carol Campbell of Baddeck, N.S.

Woodmere Rock It kept his undefeated record intact in the $31,600 Joe O’Brien Memorial Gold for two-year-old pacing colts to now sit 9 for 9 in his career. Gilles Barrieau moved the Jamie Smith trainee to the lead past the quarter pole, then held off stablemate Woodmere Fergus (Jason Hughes) by a neck in 1:55.2. Malicious Benny (Marc Campbell) finished third. Woodmere Rock It ($2.10) is owned by TheStable Woodmererock It of Guelph, Ont.

Sheeowtime Speed ($3.20) won the $35,200 Lady Slipper Gold for two-year-old pacing fillies in 1:57.2. Campbell drove the Earl Watts trainee, who took command with a tremendous brush to the lead at the quarter and held stablemate Starship Daisy (Paul Langille) to second. Redland Equinox (Corey MacPherson) was third. Windemere Farms, Matt Burke and David Burke own the winner.

The Lady Slipper Grassroots divisions went to Redneck Ruby ($33.50) in 1:59.1 for Langille and trainer-owner Grace Sorrie; Cafe De Flore ($2.10) in 1:57.2 and Isle Impress You ($2.70) in 1:58.2, both driven by Ken Murphy for trainer Saul Lanigan; and Ur Not Catching Me ($10.20) in 1:58.1 for Campbell and trainer Mike McGuigan.

Joe O’Brien Memorial Grassroots winners were No Moni No Funi ($5.10) in 2:00.1 for Murphy and trainer Clifford Murphy; Someplacesomewhere ($4.70) in 1:56.2 for trainer-driver Adam Merner; Camco Kolton ($3.40) in 1:58.4 for trainer-driver MacPherson; and Irish Rover ($2.50) in 1:59.1 for trainer-driver Monica Sutherland.

MacPherson snagged four wins on the night also winning with Mr Rielly ($7.40) in 1:56 and Cheekie Play ($6.50) in 1:58.1, both from his own barn, along with High Voltage Deo ($2.70) in 1:53.4 for trainer Brendan Curran.

Live racing continues Sunday afternoon at 1 P.M., at Red Shores Summerside with a special all-stakes program.

For more go to Redshores.ca.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores