Papis Rocket makes it four straight

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Papis Rocket (Papi Rob Hanover) held off a determined challenge from heavily favoured Arbitrage Hanover to capture the $7,150 Preferred Pace on Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

David Dowling sent Papis Rocket ($5.10) directly to the front in race 11 and controlled the opening quarter in 27.4 before reaching the half in 58.2. Arbitrage Hanover (Ken Murphy) applied first-over pressure through three-quarters in 1:25.4, but Papis Rocket refused to surrender, digging in through the stretch to prevail by a quarter-length in 1:54.1. Arbitrage Hanover finished second while Hunters Hero (Landon Campbell) was third.

PAPIS ROCKET REPLAY

Mike Ramsay trains the four-year-old Papi Rob Hanover stallion for owners Derrill Murphy of Alberta, Max Webster Stable of Nova Scotia, Jennifer Ritchie of New Brunswick and Ryan MacLeod of Souris.

Dowling and Adam Merner each recorded driving triples on the 12-dash program.

Dowling also visited the winner’s circle with Saltwater Captain ($4.90) in race 2, stopping the clock in 1:58.4 for trainer David Myers. The three-year-old Bet The Moon gelding is owned by Joanne MacRae, Myers, Gwyneth McGuirk and Rick Adams. Eagles Claw (Carson Wilkie) finished second with Gastone Phil (Don MacNeill) third.

Dowling completed his three-win afternoon in the finale as The Sports Desk ($3.30) controlled the tempo for a 2:00.4 victory. Tammy MacKay trains and owns the five-year-old Sportswriter gelding, who defeated Big Bad Bruiser (Corey MacPherson) by two-and-a-quarter lengths. Solid Silver (Adam Merner) and West Coast Kid (Jason Hughes) finished in a dead heat for third.

Merner began his driving triple with Im From A Beach ($3.60) in race 3. The two-year-old Bettors Delight gelding captured his maiden victory in 2:02 for trainer David O’Brien and owner Jim Quinn of Mount Herbert.

Merner returned to the winner’s circle in race 4 with Starship Glyde ($2.30), who took command early and paced away to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory in 1:57.4. Earl Watts trains the six-year-old for Windemere Farms of Springvale. Kraken Seelster (Ryan Desroche) was second with Katies Bet (Jason Hughes) third.

The third victory for Merner came aboard No Mo Fear ($6.20) in race 5. The Paul Doyle trainee advanced first-over before taking command and holding off Ikes Dream (Jason Hughes) by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2. Vino Louie (Ken Murphy) completed the triactor. Doyle co-owns the four-year-old Fear The Dragon gelding with Darla Jay of Charlottetown.

Live racing continues Tuesday at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside Raceway.

For more go to Redshores.ca.

 

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores