Fast miles collide in feature

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Last week saw a trio of Thursday evening top class harness racing competitors make visits to the winner's circle after fast miles but this week has them all butting heads in the feature event at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

First race post time is 6:30 PM for the 11-dash Thursday program with the featured event lining up in race 11. Eagle Jolt was an impressive winner last week in 1:58.2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owners Wilbur and Marie MacDonald of Orwell Cove and gets post 4 in his $2,200 Thursday evening assignment. The Big Bite has post 3 with Kenny Arsenault in the bike for trainer Thane Arsenault and owners Jack Arsenault, Donna McIver and Edward Blaisdell of P.E.I., and Deborah Wilson of Nova Scotia and was a winner in 1:57.4 Saturday evening at Red Shores Charlottetown but now jumps up in class. Post 2 sees Daylyn Horizon for co-owner and trainer Brent Campbell of Charlottetown and co-owner Neal Moase of Warren Grove. He was a winner in 1:56.3 in his latest outing but loses the services of Marc Campbell and picks up Gary Chappell for the catch driving assignment.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees post 2 and the fastest win time on the page as being enough to give Daylyn Horizon top billing.

"He's been dropping his times steadily since relocating and last time out beat an excellent field in a quick mile, and out of the eight hole to boot," MacIsaac said of Daylyn Horizon. "It's tougher opposition tonight but the improved post makes it a push. Beware."

Other entries in the field of eight include McJestic (Walter Cheverie), I D K (Vincent Poulton), Artners In Crime (Gilles Barrieau), Cheyenne Ford (Mike McGuigan) and Ok Galahad (Jason Hughes).

A field of six Open Trotters will meet in race 6 on the card for a $1,950 purse with Freddie favoured from post 2 for trainer-driver Campbell and owners Three Wisemen Stable of Cornwall. The four-year-old Majestic Son gelding was an impressive winner in 2:00.2 in last week's Open event and will have to contend with last week's runner-up, Wedgewood, from post 3 with Chappell at the lines. Frill Seeker and Kenny Arsenault are looking for redemption off the rail after making a break last week while riding a two-race Open Trot win streak. Also in the field is Thunderaway (Hughes), Majian Chester (Jim Ripley) and Holy Molie Maggie (Corey MacPherson).

Race 4 has the back-up trot sponsored by Advantage Communications with Tyne Valley picked to overcome the field of half-a-dozen with Walter Cheverie at the lines for co-owner and trainer William Roloson and co-owners Scott Roloson and Kristi Pickering. Top entries in the $1,550 class include Paymenowpaymelater (Barrieau) and Phantom Beau (Mark Bradley).

For race programs, top picks and live video go to www.redshores.ca

By Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores