By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The Joe O’Brien Memorial Grassroots divisions for three-year-old pacing colts were the highlights of a Saturday afternoon program at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The first $14,100 Grassroots split went to Camco Lucas ($5.50) as Brodie MacPhee steered the Malicious sophomore to a 1:55.4 victory. Trained by Trevor Weatherbie for owners Hal and Ian Smith, the bay gelding brushed to the lead in the third quarter and held off a late challenge from favoured Chromed Up (Driven by Marc Campbell) in second with Arthur Idlam (Brett MacDonald) completing the top-three finishers.
In the second $14,100 Grassroots division, Dusty Lane Levi ($2.70) lived up to his billing as the heavy favourite, taking command in the stretch for a 1:56.3 score. Corey MacPherson drove the Lather Up gelding for trainer Greg Weatherbee and owners Tammy and Kathy Johnston. Big Pond Cash (Marc Campbell) set the tempo before finishing second while Marc It Up (Gilles Barrieau) was third.
The Affleck Family Memorial saw Moonfall ($7.60) take the $3,350 event in 1:57.1 with Brodie MacPhee in the seat for lifetime training number 500 for Rocky Point, P.E.I., native Tom Weatherbie.
The Guy Gaudet Memorial opened the program with Bronx Drifter ($4.40) delivering on his favourite status for driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer Trevin Shive in 1:53.4.
Trainer Tammy Collings sent out Longblacklimousine ($3.40) to a dominant 13-length victory in the Tom & Margaret Claybourne Memorial trotting event with Paul Langille guiding the son of Six Pack to a 1:58.3 mile.
In the Parker Realty Ltd. pace, Cheddarisbetter ($6.40) had the winning kick for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Trevin Shive stopping the clock in 1:56.2.
The Donnie & Nan Simmonds Memorial went to Fout ($12.20) as driver Zach Noye orchestrated the wire-to-wire victory in 1:56.2 for trainer Jay Noye.
The Charlie Blasidell Memorial trot was captured in style by Bless Me Father ($2.10), crushing his rivals by seven lengths in 1:57.2 with Marc Campbell in the bike for trainer Donna Van Meer.
Love Party ($4.80) supplied trainer Blaine McKenna with a win in the Logan’s Montague Funeral Home Pace in 1:58.4 with Paul MacKenzie steering the mare to the top prize.
The Rabbit MacDonald Memorial had an upset as Elm Grove Mistress ($13.70) powered home to nail down the victory in 1:55.3 for driver David Dowling and trainer Jennifer Doyle.
Live racing continues Saturday evening at Red Shores Charlottetown with the 66th edition of the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery.
Go to Redshores.ca for more.
