Windemere Skye closes in on modern-day pacing record of 28 consecutive victories

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The undefeated Windemere Skye (Somewhere Fancy) continued her march through the record books Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park, capturing her 27th consecutive career victory in the featured Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace.

The three-year-old daughter of Somewhere Fancy dominated the $6,350 race 13 feature with Marc Campbell in the driver’s seat for trainer Earl Watts. Windemere Skye ($2.50) took command from the rail and carved out fractions of 28.3, 57.4 and 1:25.4 before drawing away by five and three-quarter lengths in 1:54.2. Brokeandoutofgas (Gilles Barrieau) finished second with Badgirl Bridgette (Jason Hughes) third.

The victory moves Windemere Skye within one win of the modern-day pacing record of 28 consecutive victories, shared by Cam Fella and Firms Phantom.

Windemere Skye is owned by Windemere Farms of Springvale and Matt Burke of Stratford. Her winning streak now stands one shy of the modern-day pacing mark established by Cam Fella in 1983 and equalled by Firms Phantom in 2000-2001.

Campbell and Watts also teamed up for a pair of other victories on the 14-dash program. Lilja Hanover ($3.30) dominated her rivals in race 3, winning by nine and a half lengths in 2:00.2 for owner Windemere Farms. The two-year-old Bettors Delight filly defeated Sweet Chica Lou (Myles Heffernan Sr.) and Afia (Myles Heffernan Jr.).

The Orwell reinsman closed out the evening with another Watts trainee as Starship Laska ($3.40) romped by six lengths in 1:55 in race 14. The four-year-old daughter of Arthur Blue Chip fired home in 27.4 to defeat Calamity Hour (Jason Hughes) and Joy Of My Life (Zach Noye). Windemere Farms and Kyle Williams share ownership.

Campbell also guided Saulsbrook Rolo ($4.60) to victory in the $5,250 race 11 pace, stopping the clock in 1:54.3 for trainer Landon Campbell. The three-year-old Roll With Joe filly is owned by Carl Stafford of Conception Bay South, N.L. Serenity Now (Jason Hughes) finished second with Redland Misspretty (Paul Langille) third.

Ken Murphy also enjoyed a three-win evening, including a victory in race 2 with Camco Laraido ($2.20) for trainer Mario Macri and owner Leah Ann Moyer of Summerside. The five-year-old E L Rocket gelding controlled the tempo to win in 2:01.4 over Mile Hill Waylon (Gilles Barrieau) and Majian Salsa (Jim Ripley).

Murphy returned to the winner’s circle in race 4 with My Pocket Rocket ($8.90), stopping the clock in 2:02.2 for trainer Paul MacDonald and owner Jonathan MacDonald of North Wiltshire. Dusty Lane Gus (Don MacNeill) was second with Nikway Rocks It (Myles Heffernan Jr.) third.

Woodmere Honeymoon ($10.30) completed Murphy’s driving triple with a 1:56.1 victory in race 12 for trainer Carson Wilkie and owner Christa Dunsford of Donagh. The Bet The Moon mare prevailed by one length over Moon Bound (David Dowling) and Lady Llamrei (Adam Merner).

Dowling and trainer Mike Ramsay teamed up for a pair of victories on the evening. Nevaeh Divine ($10.30) captured race 7 in 1:57 for owner Walter Deagle of Inverness, N.S., while Sweet Molly ($9.20) wired her race 8 rivals in 1:56. The Sweet Lou mare is owned by Clair Murphy, Derrill Murphy and Cindy MacLean.

The $6,050 Open Trot in race 10 went to Fight Song ($2.10) in 1:57.1 for driver Jason Hughes, trainer Ashley Gamester and owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. The seven-year-old Kadabra gelding held off West River Jet (Kenny Arsenault) by half a length with Rina Labelle (Marc Campbell) third.

Barrieau guided My Happy Place ($2.60) to a 1:57.2 victory in race 5 for trainer Ron Matheson and owners Patrick Morris and Jodi Matheson of Charlottetown. The Shadow Play mare defeated Lorne Valley Liv (Myles Heffernan Jr.) and Acefortyfour Dome (Jason Hughes).

Pop The Pin ($8.70) opened the program with a 1:59 victory for driver Hughes, trainer Ashley Gamester and owner David MacDonald of Belfast. The four-year-old Courtly Choice mare defeated Shelleys Spirit (Steven Ford) and Jafetica (Myles Heffernan Sr.).

Live racing continues Saturday afternoon at 12:30 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown.

For live video, race replays, free race programs and more go to Redshores.ca

For complete race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores