Sock It Away returns

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – After putting together one of the greatest sophomore seasons in the history of Atlantic Canadian harness racing, Sock It Away will make his first Canadian four-year-old start on Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 12-dash program kicks off at 6 P.M. with the $2,800 featured preferred pace hitting the track in race 11 where Sock It Away will start a fresh season. Corey MacPherson will handle the Kevin MacLean trained and Reg MacPherson of Stratford owned champion pacer. A winner of 20 of 21 races as a three-year-old in 2018 in Atlantic Canada, Sock It Away was then sent to the U.S. with trainer Andrew Harris recording just one second from seven starts with his final American outing on April 9. The son of Pang Shui was then taken back to P.E.I. and given a rest with him just resurfacing last week in a qualifier.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees the race as Sock It Away's to lose with the ideal post in a tight knit field of six.

"The incredible three year old season he had last year didn't mean much when he headed south of the border and after a few starts down there he was looking for his mother," MacIsaac said. "He's now back to more familiar surroundings and coming off a nice qualifier. The rail just adds to his appeal."

Other entries are Jeb (Driven by Jason Hughes), Santanna Sass (Kenny Arsenault), Rollwithitharry (Gilles Barrieau), Eagle Jolt (Marc Campbell) and Rockin Indy (David Dowling).

The back-up class will line up behind the Metro Home Hardware starting gate in race 8 with another MacLean trained pacer, Forever Paradise, the favourite leaving from post 4 in the $2,500 event. Campbell is in the bike for owners Reg MacPherson and David MacKenzie of Stratford and Aaron MacKenzie of Winsloe. The top contenders to Forever Paradise include Noplay (Ken Murphy) and Midnight Matt (Hughes).

Trainer Deanna Clow will be special guest on Inside Track with broadcaster Peter MacPhee. The segment airs at 5:35pm on the Red Shores network.

 

July 7, 2019

SUMMERSIDE, PE – The 16 finest pacers that call the Eastern Seaboard of Canada home will go hoof-to-hoof Sunday afternoon in eliminations for the prestigious Governor's Plate at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

With 12 dashes on tap for the Sunday program kicking off at 1 P.M., the two $5,000 Township Chev/Noonan Petroleum Governor's Plate eliminations will populate the final two dashes of the program.

Race 11 will see eight potential Governor's Plate finalist face-off for the first four spots in next Saturday's final that will mark the completion of Governor's Plate Week racing.

Down On My Luck controls the rail in that contest with Jason Hughes in the bike for trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Robert Woodburn of St. Thomas, Ont. The pacer has scored three wins so far this season but has yet to hit the winner's circle in three tries in P.E.I.

Defending Governor's plate champion Czar Seelster will leave from post 5 in the first elimination for the championship combo of driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Todd Weatherbee. Maritime season's record holder All Artist (Driven by Mike McGuigan) has post 3 while hard-hitting Invitational pacer Euchred (David Dowling) is saddled with post 8.

Also in the field is Hes Marvalous (Myles Heffernan Sr.), JJ Powerball (Adam Merner), Soccer Hanover (Corey MacPherson) and Burn Out Hanover (Gilles Barrieau).

Rose Run Quest and Bugsy Maguire will have another show down in the second Governor's Plate elimination in race 12. The pair has raced against each other twice with one win each. Rose Run Quest has post 2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. Owner Walter Simmons has searched for a win in his hometown race for years and the Summerside resident will have Bugsy Maguire look for a spot in the final from post 4. Heffernan is in the bike behind the Cecil Ladner Memorial champion for trainer Wade Sorrie.

Screen Test will guard the rail for Corey MacPherson while Noudidnt Blue Chip (Dowling) rides a three-race win streak into post 3.

Other entrants vying for the last four spots in the final are Half Cut (Mark Bradley), Do Over Hanover (Jason Hughes), Doctor Royal (Todd Trites) and Revenant (Merner).

The program will also see a pair of Governor's Plate Open Mares Eliminations in race 6 and 9 carrying a $3,000 purse in each.

Trainer Earl Watts will be special guest on Inside Track with host Lee Drake. The segment airs at 12:35pm on the Red Shores network.

For live video, programs and promotional information go to www.Redshores.ca.