Watts Troops favoured in top paces

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The post draw was not in his favour but Friday night Silver Beast will take to the track in his east coast harness racing debut at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

First race post time is 6 P.M. for the 10-dash Friday program with wagering available on the special drive-in trackside patio venue from 12-4 P.M. for live and simulcast racing.

The monster in the $2,000 evening finale is Silver Beast, who ships into the Brittany Watts Stable for new owner Island Silver Stables of Kelvin Grove. David Dowling will drive the talented four-year-old son of Betterthancheddar who had been racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont., pacing miles in 1:53-1:54 for former trainer Corey Giles. He must overcome a post 7 assignment in his Island debut as he looks to add to his five lifetime victories. Messier Seelster (to be driven by Marc Campbell) and Howmac Magic (Corey MacPherson) will figure to be his toughest rivals in the field of eight. Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees the Friday finale as Silver Beast's race to lose. "Silver Beast didn't get any favours at the draw for his local debut but judging by his lines, it might not matter," MacIsaac said. "He is clearly the one to beat."

Race 9 is the feature event of the program with Creepin installed as the morning line choice in the $2,850 Preferred 2 pace also from the Brittany Watts stable. Dowling will also steer Creepin for Watts and owners James and Alex Quinn and Carl Peterson. The Mach Three six-year-old is fresh off a third place finish in the top preferred class in his seasonal debut. Other top entries are Rockin Indy (Brodie MacPhee) and Winter Blast (Jason Hughes).

The top trotters on the Eastern Seaboard will also tussle in three classes on the Friday card. Race 2 has a field of trotting mares vying for a $2,400 purse with Open class stalwart Hop Up (MacPherson) as the classifier's choice from post 3.

The horses and geldings trot in race 4 also carries a $2,400 purse with the race setting up to be a battle between the outside trio of Star Photo (Hughes), Freddie (Campbell) and newcomer Glider Man (Kenny Arsenault).

Catch all the action live at Redshores.ca and wager online at HPIbet.com.

By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores