By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The stars of Atlantic Canadian harness racing return to Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday afternoon for the Weekend Of Champions as part of the season-ending championship weekend.
Post time for the 14-dash Saturday card is 12:30 P.M., including multiple $10,000 MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation divisions for two and three-year-old pacers.
The pacing rookies start the championship program in race 3 in the $10,000 MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for two-year-old fillies, where a wide-open group will clash.
Uptown Tonight (To be driven by Myles Heffernan Sr.) is the favourite with post 4 for owner-trainer Myles Heffernan Jr., of Summervill. The Tobago Cays filly will look for her first win of the season as she takes on Isle Mach Da Money (Gilles Barrieau) with post 3 and Elm Grove Uncannie (Ken Murphy) from post 5.
Race 6 has the colt companions taking the spotlight in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for pacing colts.
Windemere Barkley (Marc Campbell) looms a major threat from post 2 as the 5-2 morning line favourite after steady performances all season for trainer Zach Mullins, who co-owns with Cole and Ross Mullins of Inverness. The Somewhere Fancy colt has mains challenges from Bet On Evil (Mike McGuigan) and Shekhan (Barrieau).
Race 9 has the sophomore pacing fillies will lining up in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation where a deep and talented group will square off. Mindbodyandsoul (Paul Langille) is the top selection from the Earl Watts barn with post 7 for owners Beryl McNeil, Sterling Buchanan, Jack Quinn and Windemere Farms. Lorne Valley Liv (Kenny Arsenault) and Jafetica (Hefferan Sr.) are the main challengers.
The glamour boys take to the track in Race 12 in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for three-year-old pacing colts, which brings together a power-packed field led by Don’t Come Lookin (Murphy) for trainer Chris Davies and owners Harold, Ariane and Angelie Duguay of Pabos, Quebec.
The Tobago Cays colt is a four-time winner this season. Other top selections include Big Pond Cash (Marc Campbell) and Jackie Pang (Corey MacPherson) from post 4.
“He’s been as steady as they come in the sophomore ranks and draws perfectly on a day that should suit his stalking style. Hughes and Abiding Art look ready to put on a show.”
The undercard features a strong lineup of memorial races celebrating Island harness racing families and contributors. Race 2 is Atlantic Classic Sale Pace, while race 4 is slated as the Oliver & Sarah Poulton Memorial and Race 5 as the MacPhee Memorial.
Race 8 is the Gary “Scribes” Poulton Memorial and Race 10 the PEIHRIA Pace.
Fans can play from home through HPIBET.COM or join the on-track crowd at Red Shores Charlottetown.
Full race programs, race-day broadcasts, and live streaming are available at Redshores.ca.
