Papis Rocket blasts to third straight victory

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Papis Rocket (Papi Rob Hanover) blasted to a harness racing victory in the featured $7,150 Preferred Pace Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

David Dowling engineered the front-end victory with Papis Rocket ($5.70) in race 9 for trainer Mike Ramsay. The four-year-old son of Papi Rob Hanover took command from post 2 and carved out fractions of 28, 56.2 and 1:24.2 before sprinting home in 29 seconds to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:53.2. Arbitrage Hanover (Driven by Ken Murphy) closed in 28.2 to finish second while Hunters Hero (Marc Campbell) was third. Papis Rocket is owned by Derrill Murphy of Alberta, Max Webster Stable of Nova Scotia, Jennifer Ritchie of New Brunswick and Ryan MacLeod of Souris.

Campbell made three trips to the winner’s circle on the afternoon, including a dominant victory with Western Artist ($4.20) in race 5. The Lenny Myers trained three-year-old controlled the action from start to finish to win by seven-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:58.2 over Gastone Phil (Don MacNeill) and Carlou Gambino (Ken Murphy).

The Orwell reinsman also captured race 3 with Im From A Beach ($5.60) for trainer David O’Brien. The two-year-old Bettors Delight gelding held off a late charge from Malefic (Paul Langille) to win by half a length in 2:01.1. Big Time Bobby (Adam Merner) was third. Jim Quinn of Mount Herbert owns the winner.

Campbell completed his triple in race 6 with Bentley ($2.80) for trainer John Clarey. The four-year-old Pang Shui stallion advanced first-over and powered past Elroy Shiner (Brady Sweet) to win by one-and-one-quarter lengths in 1:57.3. Mr Rielly (Corey MacPherson) finished third. Bentley is owned and bred by Mike Clarey of Montague.

Allaboutthecash ($12.50) delivered a sharp stretch performance in the $4,700 race 7 pace with Brady Sweet in the bike for trainer Jeff Holmes. The five-year-old All Bets Off gelding sat in the pocket early as House Edge Hanover (Ken Murphy) controlled fractions of 27.4, 56.4 and 1:25.4. Starship Glyde (Campbell) challenged first-over heading to the three-quarter pole before Allaboutthecash found room late to prevail by half a length in 1:54.4 over House Edge Hanover, with Starship Glyde third. Holmes co-owns the winner with Trevor MacDonald, David MacDonald and Leonard Doyle.

Langille scored a $29 upset in race 10 with Evil Vintage for trainer Corey MacPherson. The six-year-old Great Vintage gelding made a first-over move and took command in the stretch before holding off Vino Louie (Murphy) by a quarter-length in 1:58.1. Cheekie Play (MacPherson) was third. Sandra Stead of Montague owns the winner.

Merner captured race 4 with Solid Silver ($10.20) for trainer-owner Stacey Chappell of Stratford. The eight-year-old Mystery Chase gelding controlled the pace and drew away by three-and-a-half lengths in 1:59.4 over Justcallmedoc (Steven Ford) and Moonwriter (Sweet).

Live racing continues Tuesday at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside Raceway. For live video, free race programs and more go to Redshores.ca.

To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores