Papis Rocket Looks To Launch In Saturday Feature

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Fresh off a commanding harness racing victory in 1:53.2, Papis Rocket (Papi Rob Hanover) will look to keep his winning momentum rolling Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 12-dash program gets underway at 12:30 P.M., with the $6,050 featured pace lining up in race 11.

Papis Rocket will leave from the rail with Jaycob Sweet picking up the driving assignment for trainer Mike Ramsay. The four-year-old son of Papi Rob Hanover was a dominant winner in his latest appearance, stopping the clock in 1:53.2 with a three-and-three-quarter-length victory. The $729,065 career earner also defeated Merigo Magic in 1:51.4 on Oct. 3 and will look to use his inside post to his advantage Saturday. Listed at 4-1 on the morning line, Papis Rocket is owned by Derrill Murphy, Max Webster Stable, Jennifer Ritchie and Ryan MacLeod.

Merigo Magic is the 5-2 morning-line favourite from post seven for trainer-driver Adam Merner. The five-year-old Tobago Cays gelding captured the $20,000 P.E.I. Free-For-All consolation on Premier’s Cup night in 1:52.4, defeating Gigis Dream and Fast Louie. He followed that performance with a fourth-place finish against tougher company on Oct. 18. The 26-time career winner is owned by Mike May, Herman McQuaid and Derrick Cameron of Charlottetown and has banked $262,731 lifetime.

Malevolent is another serious threat from post six with Paul Langille driving from his own barn.

The feature also includes Fast Louie (Myles Heffernan), Steamboat Springs (Corey MacPherson), Starship Glyde (Ryan Desroche), Bettor Than Spring (Ken Murphy) and Hunters Hero (Marc Campbell).

The Post Time Picks like Papis Rocket.

“Papis Rocket bossed it all the way last time out going wire to wire and delivering as the chalk choice. He’s in deeper waters now but it will be all systems go from the rail, and the price could be friendly, so we’ll take a shot and call for top spot.”

The afternoon’s finale in race 12 will feature another competitive group of pacers, with Malignity drawing post four for trainer-driver Langille. The 36-time career winner is listed at 5-2 and will face Bee Two Bee, who leaves from post five with Corey MacPherson driving for trainer Ashley Gamester. Bee Two Bee has earned more than $584,000 lifetime and will look to add to his 51 career victories. Hound On The Beach also enters the conversation from the rail with Marc Campbell driving for trainer Landon Campbell.

Wager live at the track or on HPIBet.com. For live video, free race programs and more go to Redshores.ca.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores