Phil My Beer takes Campbell closer to history

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Landon Campbell moved within one victory of the Prince Edward Island rookie driving record Tuesday evening as he guided Phil My Beer to an upset victory in the featured $6,600 pace at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

Campbell recorded his 31st victory of his rookie driving campaign, putting him within striking distance of the P.E.I. record of 32 wins established by Austin Sorrie in 2018.

Phil My Beer ($22.10) delivered the milestone victory in race 10 as Campbell sent the four-year-old Shanghai Phil-Hazel stallion first-over from third to take command approaching the half-mile station. Brookdale Johnny (Driven by Paul Langille) supplied the opening quarter of 27.1 before Phil My Beer took over through fractions of 57 and 1:25.1. The Campbell trainee dug in through the stretch to fend off heavily favoured Fast Louie (David Dowling) by half a length in 1:53.3. Freemans Legacy (Jaycob Sweet) finished third.

Campbell trains the winner for owners Carl Stafford of Conception Bay South, N.L., Brent Campbell of Charlottetown, Bernard MacDonald of Mount Stewart and Kent MacDonald of Stratford.

The victory leaves Campbell one win away from tying Sorrie’s eight-year-old rookie record and two victories from establishing a new P.E.I. standard.

Trainer-driver Paul Langille enjoyed a three-win evening, including a sharp 1:54.2 score with Malignity ($5.20) in race 8. The six-year-old Malicious gelding advanced first-over to challenge pacesetter Doncic (Ken Murphy) before drawing clear by one length. Bettim Alive (Jaycob Sweet) completed the triactor. Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S., owns the winner.

Langille also captured race 7 with Nolans Magic Shui ($4.40), who converted a pocket trip into a four-length victory in 1:57.4 over Big Bad Bruiser (Corey MacPherson) and Starshipzodiac (Jaycob Sweet). Dale and Ronnie Rennie Inc., and Melissa Rennie share ownership of the seven-year-old Pang Shui gelding.

The Langille training-driving triple was completed in the race 11 finale as Disko Bay ($16.90) rallied from seventh to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.4. Almost Amos (Dowling) was second with Louie The Great (MacPherson) third. Nikway Farms of St. Davids, N.L., owns the three-year-old Cattlewash colt.

Bold N Bad ($47.50) delivered the largest win payout of the evening in the race 1 opener. Brett Clow guided the Deanna Clow owned and trained 11-year-old gelding from sixth at the three-quarter pole to a one-length victory in 2:01.1 over New Kid On Therock (Brett LeBlanc) and Elm Grove Treasure (Jaycob Sweet).

Live racing continues Thursday at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. For more go to Redshores.ca.

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

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores