By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The Trials were drawn for the 65 edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, during the official press conference Tuesday morning at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The prestigious $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final will be held on Saturday August 17 with 25 horses entered in the Trials vying for the top nine spots.
The first two $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trials are set for Saturday during the 4 P.M. program scheduled at Red Shores Charlottetown.
The fastest horse in the history of New Brunswick harness racing, American History, has rail control in the first Trial for the husband-wife team of driver Dale Spence and trainer MacKenzie Spence. The Woodbine Mohawk Park Preferred pacer toured Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B., in 1:52 flat while winning the recently held Kelti Burnett Memorial for owner Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B.
The second $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trial has the return of defending champion Covered Bridge from the Jeff Gillis stable. The Yonkers Raceway regular won the 2023 edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer in 1:50.3 in line to Jordan Stratton for owner Mark Ford of Campbell Hall, New York.
The third and final Gold Cup and Saucer Trial will be held Monday evening during the 6 P.M. card at Red Shores Charlottetown. Rocks Shining Star will leave from post 1 for trainer Jamie Smith and owner Thestable.ca. The 16-time winner has been racing the Open level across Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
The top three finishers from each Trial will advance to the $100,000 final, with the fourth through sixth place finishers going to the James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation on August 16. A second consolation race will be held for the seventh, eighth and ninth place finishers in the Trials.
Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #1 – Saturday
Post – Horse – Trainer
1 – American History – MacKenzie Spence
2 – Fern Hill General – Tom Weatherbie
3 – One Eight Hundred – Ellen Stevenson
4 – P L Ozzy – Darren Smith
5 – Save America – Jamie Smith
6 – Hes Sure Good – Noah Whebby
7 – Bayfield Beach – Victor Puddy
8 – Binge On Yankee – Jeff Gillis
9 – Bee Two Bee – Ashley Gamester
Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #2 – Saturday
Post – Horse – Trainer
1 – Blue Hunt – Ashley Gamester
2 – Bounty Hunter – Kenny Arsenault
3 – Fortify – Chris MacKay
4 – Ilikemebettor A – Mike McGuigan
5 – Saulsbrook Ian – Jamie Smith
6 – Covered Bridge – Jeff Gillis
7 – Twin B Tuffenuff – Ron Matheson
8 – Roll Em – Brent Campbell
Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #3 – Monday
Post – Horse – Trainer
1 – Rocks Shining Star – Jamie Smith
2 – Island Beach Boy – Tom Weatherbie
3 – Heaven On High N – Jamie Smith
4 – Bob Loblaw – Ken Middleton
5 – Southwind Sambucca – Victor Puddy
6 – Smooth Lou – Corey MacPherson
7 – High Voltage Deo – Brendan Curran
8 – Larry Karr – Dean Nixon
