Charlottetown, PE – Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Red Shores Summerside are gearing up for a busy season with exciting race series, signature events, and the 8th annual Drive for Charity, presented by Red Shores.

The Drive for Charity event features 11 of Prince Edward Island’s top harness drivers based on 2018 statistics from Charlottetown and Summerside racetracks. The drivers will partner with Island businesses to raise money for local charities. Each win will earn $25 toward their charity. The Drive for Charity promotion has raised $71,450 since its launch in 2012.

Here are the participating businesses, drivers and their charities.

Red Shores Racetrack & Casino– Corey MacPherson – Pat & the Elephant

Daniel R Ross Ltd – Walter Cheverie – Camp Gencheff

Andrew Stables – Adam Merner – Kidsport PEI

A&M Snow Removal – Kenny Arsenault – MS Society

Hansen Electric – David Dowling – Canadian Mental Health

MacQuarrie’s Meats – Ken Murphy – Upper Room Food Bank

Metro Home Building Centre – Marc Campbell – Open Door Outreach

Charlottetown Veterinary Clinic – Gilles Barrieau – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation in memory of Shelley Gass

MacRae Backhoe and Trucking– Dale Spence – Wolf Manor Equestrian Centre

Syntrak Print and Graphic Design – Jason Hughes – Autism Society PEI

Speedy Glass – Mike McGuigan – Prince County Hospital Foundation

The promotion begins on Saturday June 1, 2019 and wraps up on Sunday September 29th. The official draw was held Wednesday during a reception in the Top of the Park.

By Lee Drake

Photo 1 – David Dowling, Kenny Arsenault, Jason Hughes, Marc Campbell, Dale Spence, Adam Merner, Corey MacPherson, Mike McGuigan, Ken Murphy. Missing from Photo Walter Cheverie, Gilles Barrieau

Photo 2 – Left to Right – Halbert Pratt representing Pat & The Elephant, Harness Driver Corey MacPherson, Adam Walsh, Red Shores race manager

Photo credit Ronota Baglole

 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – ER Quinn is being pegged as the one to beat in the featured event as Thursday night racing begins at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The $2,600 top event goes behind the gate in race 9 with the first dash going to post at 6:30 P.M. for the 10-dash program. E R Quinn will leave from post 3 in the group with Gilles Barrieau back at the helm for trainer Jeff Holmes and Orwell Bay Stable of Orwell. The seven-year-old son of Total Truth will be making just his third start on red soil after relocating from the Ontario circuit. His first outing was a front-end romp, but was unsuccessful while trying the same tactics in his latest start, finishing fourth.

Forever Paradise has been out of commission for over 16 months but will make his first start back with rail control in the event for driver John MacKenzie and trainer Kevin MacLean. Dream On Dream On makes his East Coast debut in race 4 for trainer-driver David Dowling and owner Kayla Habicht Walker of Inverness, N.S. A winner of 17 races and $108,000 in purses, Dream On Dream On was racing the claiming ranks in Ontario before being claimed for $8,500 by Walker. 

Race analyst Les MacIsaac is banking on E R Quinn makes a return to his winning ways.

“E R Quinn dominated from start to finish in his local debut but he wasn’t quite as impressive last week when he faded late,” MacIsaac said. “He’ll likely be on the lead again and with some rated fractions he’s eligible to rebound.”

Also in the top class field is Tempo Seelster (Driven by Ken Murphy), Likely To Win (Adam Merner), Winter Blast (Corey MacPherson), and IC True Grit (Mike McGuigan).

The first trot race of the season hits the track in race 5 on Thursday evening seeing the return of Freddie. The $2,200 Handicapped trot has Freddie leaving from post 5 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owners Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston. Also in the field is newcomer Scary Good (David Dowling) and Suicide Shift (Steven Shepherd).

By Nicholas Oakes

 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The ‘Doctor’ was on call Saturday evening in the Preferred pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Doctor Royal was sent off as the heavy post time favourite in the race 12 top event for a $2,900 purse as the Mainland invader was on top at every call to win in 1:56.1. Gilles Barrieau left off the gate with the Dawn Ellis Abbott owned and trained pacer fresh off a 1:55 win in the top event at the horse’s home oval of Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia. Hes Marvalous (Driven by Myless Heffernan) applied some early pressure to Doctor Royal in the Saturday evening preferred as he stretched him to the quarter in 27.4. Doctor Royal then made front and cruised at every station to win by six lengths in 1:56.1 over Mick Dundee (Don MacNeill) and Hes Marvalous.

Barrieau was in town for the opening program of the Summer racing season and won three dashes on the card in total including a pair for trainer Ellis Abbott. The pair also teamed up to win with Nomatterwhen in 2:00 in a $2,100 fillies and mares pace, while Barrieau’s other victory was with newcomer Er Quinn in 1:57.2 for trainer Jeff Holmes and new owners Orwell Bay Stable of Orwell.

Soccer Hanover tied for the fastest trip of the night as he closed out the 13-dash program with a 1:56.1 victory for driver Corey MacPherson and owner Leith Waite of Summerside.

By Nicholas Oakes

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The 2019 Summer racing season is about to swing into full gear with opening day Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

 

The 13-dash card kicks off at 6 P.M. featuring special promotions for Kentucky Derby Day. The first leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown has a 7:50 AST estimated post time with Red Shores Charlottetown holding a Derby hat contest with an official photo booth set up for Ladies and Gentlemen who arrive in the front entrance. Patrons will also receive a ticket on the live product, the Kentucky Derby and a ballot for a chance to win prizes. All photos will be uploaded to the Red Shores web site for a fan-voting contest later.

 

Doctor Royal marches into town as the heavy favourite in the race 12 featured event carrying a $2,900 purse. The mainland pacer ships in from Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia for trainer Dawn Ellis Abbott after annihilating his foes by 15 open lengths in 1:55 in his East Coast debut at the Bible Hill half-miler. Gilles Barrieau will be back on the Island to drive Doctor Royal from post 6 in the field of eight horses. Hes Marvalous makes his Island debut from post 2 in the event with Myles Heffernan Sr., in the bike for owner Jackie Heffernan of Summerville. The six-year-old son of Delmarvalous was racing in the $10,000 claiming class at Plainridge Raceway in Massachusetts. Midnight Matt is another newcomer in the Saturday evening preferred class with Adam Merner in the bike from post 7 for trainer Jennifer Doyle of Earnescliffe. A four-year-old son of Royal Mattjesty, Midnight Matt was claimed from the Ontario circuit in February for $18,750.

With most of the field fresh off of qualifier in the 2:00 range, Doctor Royal’s chart line of 1:55 is more than enough for race analyst Les MacIsaac to plug him into the top spot of his selections.

“Doctor Royal made his Maritime debut at Truro last week and had it been a fight, it would have been stopped early,” MacIsaac said. “That’s quite a trip for this time of year and it sure makes this one look like a race for place.”

Also in the field is Confident Fella (Driven by Marc Campbell), Mick Dundee (Don MacNeill), Burn Out Hanover (Kenny Arsenault), Tobinator (Corey MacPherson) and Adkins Hanover (David Dowling).

Red Shores is launching a new show called Inside Track on Saturdays. Race Day broadcast hosts will interview members of the harness racing community prior to first race post parade. Vance Cameron, who received an honor for Canada’s best race call recently, will join Lee Drake on the segment scheduled to air at 5:35pm AST.

By Nicholas Oakes

 

Charlottetown, PE – Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Red Shores Summerside will be holding qualifying sessions to prep for the season openers scheduled for Charlottetown on Saturday May 4^th at 6pm while Summerside starts their campaign on Monday May 20. Post time is 1pm.

Red Shores Charlottetown will hold a BBQ on the trackside patio for the qualifying session this Saturday beginning at 11:30am.

Here is the qualifying schedule.

Charlottetown Qualifiers

Saturday April 27^th. Post time is 11:30am

Tuesday April 30^th. Post Time 12:30pm

Summerside Qualifiers

Monday April 29^th. Post Time 6pm

Contact the Red Shores race office for more information at 902.629.6634

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The 2019 Winter racing season came to a close Saturday afternoon as Rollwithitharry won the final dash until racing resumes in May at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Drew Neill completed his rookie campaign in fine style teaming up with conditioner Jackie Matheson to win three dashes on the program including the final event with Rollwithitharry. Leaving from post 3 in the $1,800 dash, Rollwithitharry found the front and extended his lead to win in 1:59 over Pictonian Storm (Driven By Corey MacPherson) and Jds Double Dose (Dale Spence). The 11-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion is owned by Woodmere Farms of Marshfield, P.E.I.

Neill’s other victories came with Collective Wisdom in 2:00.2 and Howmacs Dragonator in 2:00.3.

Driver David Dowling scored four trips to the winner’s circle including the $2,400 featured event with Adkins Hanover, who circled the field to win in 1:57.1. Second went to Intended Royalty (Redmond Doucet) while Red Magician (Adam Merner) was third. Adkins Hanover is trained by Trevor Hicken for owner Perry Burke of Grosse-Ile., Quebec.

Windemere Nancy overcame an early break to give Dowling’s first win of the day in 2:01.1 for trainer Earl Watts of Hampshire, followed by a 2:03.2 score with Vintage Winner for trainer Wade Myers. Windemereimalright gave Dowling and Watts another win on the day with a 2:02.1 mile.

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Intended Royalty will be looking to even the score with one of Cape Breton’s top drivers in the feature event Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 10-dash program kicks off at 12:30 P.M. with Intended Royalty drawing post 5 in the race 9 feature with Redmond Doucet in the bike for co-owner and trainer Randy Copley and co-owner Ed Copley of Inverness, N.S. Doucet is the regular pilot of Intended Royalty when he races in Nova Scotia and will make the trip to drive the horse during the final card of the winter racing season at the capital oval. The horse he will be looking to even-up with is post 6 starter Adkins Hanover, who will retain the services of David Dowling for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Perry Burke of Grosse-Ile., Quebec. Dustlanemissmolly drops out of the top mare’s class and will be forced to face the boys from post 2 for driver Myles Heffernan Sr.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac will give the edge to Intended Royalty to find the wire first.

“The first over trip proved to be his downfall last week and the eventual winner simply got away on him,” MacIsaac said of Intended Royalty. “There’s a possibility of some early mayhem up front today which might make it tougher on the front runners. If this guy gets rolling and can pick up some live cover, beware.”

Also in the field are Tempo Seelster (Driven by Ken Murphy), Red Magician (Adam Merner) and Winter Blast (Kyle Gillis).

Rollwithitharry will search for his second straight win the afternoon back-up class that will close out the season in race 10. Drew Neill has acquitted himself well in the sulky in his first season and will again pick up the mount for trainer Jackie Matheson and owner Woodmere Farms of Marshfield, P.E.I. Eagle Jolt will leave from post 8 as a top entry for trainer-driver Marc Campbell while Pictonian Storm has post 5 with Corey MacPherson at the lines.

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The top driver in Warren Grove strutted his stuff Saturday afternoon as he captured the top class as well as the top distaff at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Adkins Hanover returned to the East Coast and cruised to victory in the $2,400 featured event on a frosty day at the capital oval. Time of the mile was 1:59.1 with Dowling in the bike for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Perry Burke of Grosse-Ile., Que. The 10-year-old Western Ideal pacer was on a front end mission as he stole every fraction and handily won by four-and-half lengths over Intended Royalty (Driven by Mike McGuigan) while Tempo Seelster (Ken Murphy) was third.

Dowling and trainer Myles Heffernan Jr., teamed up to win the $1,800 mare’s pace with Dustlanemissmolly in 1:59.1. Heffernan’s father, Myles Heffernan Sr., was scheduled to drive but was called to work in the United States working on power lines, leaving Dowling to pick up the drive during last minute program changes. The daughter of Brandons Cowboy also was on top for every split as she was part of a rarity with her sister, Dustylane Zendaya, finished second in the compact field of five. Jackie Heffernan of Summerville, P.E.I., holds the ownership papers of Dustlanemissmolly.

Heffernan had two training wins on the program with Pictonian Sareta winning earlier on the card as part of a four win day for leading driver Marc Campbell. Campbell scored victories with Navy Pilot Hanover from his own barn, Charlottes Western for trainer Jeff Lilley of Milton and Noudidnt Blue Chip for trainer Neal Moase of Warren Grove.

By Nicholas Oakes

 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Cape Breton’s finest pacer came out on top in last week’s feature event but has a new foe for his Saturday afternoon contest at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Intended Royalty was a winner in the featured event last Saturday at Red Shores Charlottetown and will be the morning line favourite this week. The 13-dash Saturday afternoon presentation kicks off at 12:30 P.M. with the $2,400 preferred pace hitting the track in race 12. Intended Royalty is the choice of classifier Gerard Smith from post 5 with Mike McGuigan back in the race bike for co-owner and trainer Randy Copley of Inverness, N.S., and co-owner Ed Copley. The eight-year-old son of No Pan Intended has been a winner in eight of 11 races since the beginning of 2018 but did not make a start since July until his win last Saturday in Charlottetown.

Adkins Hanover returns to red soil for the Saturday contest and draws post 4 for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Perry Burke of Grosse-Ile., Que. David Dowling will drive the 10-year-old Western Ideal pacer who had been performing well on the Ontario circuit in recent months including three wins from his last four starts.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac gives the edge to Intended Royalty in the compact field of five.

“Intended Royalty was out for most of the mile last week including three wide at the half and still won his local debut,” MacIsaac said. “After that performance, other than the likely short price there’s not much to dislike.”

Also in the field is Tempo Seelster (Driven by Ken Murphy), Red Magician (Adam Merner) and Burn Out Hanover (Kenny Arsenault).

The top mares pace of the afternoon hits the track in race 9 for a $1,800 purse with Dusty Lane Zendaya guarding the rail for driver Corey MacPherson, trainer Stephen Gass and owners Alexis Gass and the Estate of Shelley Gass of Cornwall, P.E.I. Dusty Lane Zendaya’s sister, Dustlanemissmolly, was the winner last week for trainer-driver Myles Heffernan and gets post 4 to work from on Saturday.

By Nicholas Oakes

By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – One of the top pacers in Cape Breton will attempt to go over the $100,000 mark in earnings Saturday afternoon but will have an uphill battle in the featured event at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The capital oval will play host to 13-dashes on the afternoon with a 12:30 P.M. first race post time. Intended Royalty was hot during an abbreviated campaign in Inverness, N.S., that saw him win seven out of 10 starts in 2018. Owners Randy and Edward Copley of Inverness, will have their charge driven by Mike McGuigan in the $2,200 top event in race 12 from post seven in the field of as many fresh off a 2:00 qualifier with a 28.4 closing quarter last week.

Red Magician defeated the preferred group in his latest start and will leave from post 6 with Corey MacPherson back in the bike for trainer Melissa Rennie and owners Dale and Ronnie Rennie of Elmsdale, P.E.I. Eagle Jolt has rail control in the competitive group for trainer-driver Marc Campbell, while the other Rennie trainee, Euchred, has post 3 for driver Adam Merner.

Also in the field is Rollwithitharry (Driven by Drew Neill), Burn Out Hanover (Kenny Arsenault) and Winter Blast (Jason Hughes).

Top Desire joins the East Coast racing wars in race 4 of the program for new owner-trainer Ed Harvey of Tyne Valley, P.E.I. The six-year-old son of Real Desire was racing the Ontario circuit most recently for trainer Richard Moreau. Norris Rogers will hand the driving duties Saturday from post 3 at 8-1 morning line odds.

Malabrigo has been established as the morning line favorite for Campbell in the Shawn Driscoll pace on race 6.

Zingers Laugh returns to Island racing on the program drawing the rail in race 10 of the program. The now nine-year-old son of Bettors Delight is owned by Neal Moase of Warren Grove, P.E.I., and placed in the hands of trainer-driver Drew Neill. With over $125,000 in lifetime earnings and 17 career wins, Zingers Laugh was formerly campaigned by Walter Cheverie on P.E.I. in the 2014-2015 seasons and by Mike McGuigan and Moase in 2017, with stints to Ontario and Quebec in between.

By Nicholas Oakes