Welcome to Old Home Week 2018! For complete information on Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer go to our information banner on the main page. For updates on Harness Racing action visit these newsrooms:
Charlottetown, PE – Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park unveiled new events, promotions and of course the horses competing in the 59th running of the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer.
Here are the horses and positions for the trials:
Trial 1 – Saturday August 11th
1 – Paparazzi Hanover
2 – Fool Me Once
3 – Somewhere Fancy
4 – Rockin In Heaven
5 – Father of the Year
6 – Rose Run Quest
7 – Jackson K Down
Trial 2 – Monday August 13th
1 – Always N the Money
2 – Bet On Brett
3 – LincolnJames
4 – ASAP Hanover
5 – Newbie
6 – In Spades
7 – Czar Seelster
The action gets underway on Thursday August 9th with 9 days of racing and 13 race programs leading up to the greatest show in harness racing on August 18th.
The 2018 edition of Old Home Week will feature several new events to celebrate the past and highlight the future in regional harness racing.
Sobeys will sponsor two new special Old Home Week races, kicking off on Saturday August 11th with the Sobeys Invitational, and culminating on August 18th with the Atlantic Canada Invitational presented by Sobeys.
Anthony and Amy MacDonald – co founders of The Stable, a fractional ownership company, will be doing a special promotion with their Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer starter Lincoln James.
The Stable.ca will offer 15 shares on this Gold Cup starter. Investors can go to www.thestable.ca and click on the Lincoln James promotion banner to be entered to win their chance to purchase a share. Each share can be purchased for $901 dollars (CDN). The 15 investors will be drawn by Tuesday and must purchase their share prior to the official draw of the race Tuesday August 14th. Go to www.thestable.ca for details.
On Wednesday, August 15th Red Shores will celebrate the race and breeding career of the sensational Somebeachsomewhere. At that evenings race card trophies, photos and other Beach memorabilia will be on display for all race fans to enjoy courtesy of co-owner Reg Pettipas and his wife Louise. In addition, select race videos from Somebeachsomewhere’s record breaking performances will be broadcast. Post time is 7 p.m.
In 2018 PEI Harness Racing will recognize the history and horse people associated with Moncton, New Brunswick. On Thursday, August 16th, from 4 to 6 pm a Moncton reunion will be held in the EastLink trade center just off the Red Shores main lobby, followed that evening by a very special event “The Monctonian Pace” sponsored by the horse owners of the Moncton area, City of Moncton, David Lund and family, Dr. M.L. Patriquin and Moncton Standardbred Racing Association.
Throughout its nearly six decades of activity, and name changes from Moncton Raceway to Brunswick Downs and then Champlain Raceway, the Moncton track was known for record setting performances and the highest special event purses in the region. All those associated with the Moncton track over the years are invited to attend the reunion, bring along any materials they may wish to share, and celebrate memories.
In recognition of the outstanding contribution to the Gold Cup and Saucer by the late Mike MacDonald, for 2018 the winning driver in the Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer will be presented with the first Micheal MacDonald Memorial Trophy. A five time winner of the Gold Cup, Mike MacDonald was an annual competitor and major ambassador in the event.
In addition to these presentations and events, this year drivers will be competing for the Francis McIsaac Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the leading driver throughout the Old Home Week programs.
Sunday August 5, 2018
Summerside, PE – The Sunday live harness racing program has been cancelled at Red Shores Summerside due to unsafe track conditions. The program has been moved to Monday August 6th. Post time is 7pm.
Charlottetown, PE – Winter Blast, under the command of driver Jason Hughes, picked off the race favorites to win the Saturday night feature at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The grey six year-old son of Sand Shooter stopped the timer in 1:56.1.
Trained by Jennifer Doyle for owner Danny Birt, Vernon Bridge, PE, Winter Blast returned $31.90 on the nose for his fifth victory from 14 starts this season. Elm Grove Kaboom (Walter Cheverie) was second while Cartoon Daddy (Kenny Arsenault) completed the triactor. The 8-1-3 combination paid $347.40.
In other action, Sodwana Bay remains perfect since arriving on the East Coast on June 17th capturing the open mares for her seventh win in a row for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau. Sodwana Bay is owned by Wayne MacRae, NS and Howmac Farms Ltd, PE.
Barrieau, Myles Heffernan and Corey MacPherson recorded driving doubles on the night.
Wager was $49,069.
Racing returns to Charlottetown with the start of Old Home Week 2018 on Thursday August 9th. Post time is 7pm. The 59th running of the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer takes place on Saturday August 18th.
By Lee Drake
Saturday July 14, 2018
SUMMERSIDE, PE – In nothing short of a perfect trip, Czar Seelster was steered to victory by veteran driver Kenny Arsenault in the Governor’s Plate final that capped off Governor’s Plate week racing at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
Kenny Arsenault captured his second Governor’s Plate final Saturday night in the $25,000 event for trainer Todd Weatherbee and owner Tammy Johnston of Vernon Bridge. Post time favourite Euchred and driver Adam Merner set the early tempo with fractions of 27.1, 55.4 and 1:24.1 while being unchallenged on the front end with Czar Seelster sitting the pocket. Czar Seelster vacated the two-hole for the stretch drive to power past Euchred and capture the 50th edition of the Prince County Classic in 1:53.2. Euchred was second with Mr Irresistible (Driven by Gilles Barrieau) finishing third and defending champion Do Over Hanover (Jason Hughes) fourth.
Driver Corey MacPherson had a night to remember on Saturday, winning five races on the 16-dash program. MacPherson won the fastest $12,800 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old pacing colts with Sock It Away in 1:54.2 to remain undefeated on the season for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. MacPherson also had major wins in the $2,500 Andrew Perry Memorial Invitational trot in 1:59.2 for trainer-driver Keith Campbell of Tyne Valley and the $5,000 Governor’s Plate consolation with Tobinator in 1:58.3 for trainer Trevor Hicken of Montague. The Cornwall driver’s other trips to the winner’s circle came with Big Surf in a $1,900 event in 1:55.4 for trainer Hicken and in a $2,500 B-Division for three-year-old pacing colts with Dustylanekazaam in 1:59.4 for Paul MacDonald of Cornwall.
The other $12,800 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old pacing colts was won by Weekend Atnannies in 1:56.3 for driver Mike McGuigan, trainer Len McGuigan and owner Glen Dunn of Summerville.
The $3,500 Fillies and Mares Open pace was won by Sodwana Bay to continue her undefeated streak in Atlantic Canada with a 1:55.2 win for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau and owners Wayne MacRae of Fall River, N.S., and Howmac Farms Ltd., of North Wiltshire.
Live racing on Prince Edward Island returns to a regular schedule in the coming week with cards Thursday and Saturday at Red Shores Charlottetown with Red Shores Summerside holding its next card on Sunday (July 22).
By Nicholas Oakes
SUMMERSIDE, PE – Royaltywestho has cruised through the first part of the 2018 season dominating the three-year-old pacing filly division but the former leading money winning three-year-old in North America returned to formFriday evening in Atlantic Sires Stakes action at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate week racing.
Bettim Jackie had a solid winter season racing in Ontario but has remained winless since coming back East for the start of the Atlantic Stakes season, but that all changed Friday night. The daughter of Andreoli Hanover was sent first over in her $13,040 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-Division by driver Gilles Barrieau and powered past the undefeated Royaltywestho (Driven by Walter Cheverie) going to three-quarters. Bettim Jackie lengthened her advantage to a six-and-a-half length winning margin in 1:55.3, just two-fifth shy of Elm Grove Inarush’s 2014 track record for sophomore pacing fillies. Royaltywestho had to settle for second while Woodmere Wyldstyle (Corey MacPherson) was third. Bettim Jackie is co-owned and trained by Jeff Lilley of Milton for co-owners Blair MacLauchlan of Charlottetown and Danny Purcell of Newport, N.S.Hanover was sent first over in her $13,040 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division by driver Gilles Barrieau and powered past the undefeated Royaltywestho (Driven by Walter Cheverie) going to three-quarters. Bettim Jackie lengthened her lead to a six-and-a-half length win margin in 1:55.3 with Royaltywestho finishing second and Woodmere Wyldstyle (Corey MacPherson) third. Bettim Jackie is co-owned and trained by Jeff Lilley of Milton for co-owners Blair MacLauchlan of Charlottetown and Danny Purcell of Newport, N.S.
The other $13,040 A-division was won by Chocolate Terror and trainer-driver Darren Crowe in a race that was full of action from the start. Heavily favoured R Es Shabla (Mike McGuigan) made at the start to be a non-factor while Elm Grove Maddy (Dale Spence) tussled with Elm Grove Mistress (Earl Smith) to the quarter in 28.1. Elm Grove Mistress was forced to take a seat in second while Elm Grove Maddy hit the half in 57.3 then was overtaken by Chocolate Terror to the outside before the three-quarters in 1:26.4 with the final time of 1:56.3. Tobins Terror (Gary Chappell) was second with the 93-1 shot Kahlua Morning (Jason Hughes) in third. Chocolate Terror is owned by David Livingstone of Halifax, N.S.
The other $13,040 A-division was won by Chocolate Terror and trainer-driver Darren Crowe in 1:56.3 after taking control of the front end past the half-mile marker. The start of the A-division full of action as heavy favourite R Es Shabla (Mike McGuigan) made a break at the start to become a non-factor, while Dale Spence sent Elm Grove Maddy to the lead and forced Elm Grove Mistress (Earl Smith) into the two-hole in a 28.1 opener. Tobins Terror rallied to finish second with 93-1 shot Kahlua Morning (Jason Hughes) finishing third. Chocolate Terror is owned by David Livingstone of Halifax, N.S.
The trio of $2,500 B-Divisions were claimed by Izzies Angel in 1:58.4 for trainer-driver Terry Gallant of Summerside, Shy Artie in 2:00.1 with Dale Spence driving for trainer Tommy Gunn of New Brunswick and Howmac Impeccable in 2:00.4 for driver David Dowling and trainer Earl Watts of Hampshire.
By Nicholas Oakes
SUMMERSIDE, PE – For decades Earl Smith has been a force to be reckoned with on the Atlantic Sires Stakes circuit and that trend continued Thursday evening at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate week racing.
Woodmere Bolt captured the fastest Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for two-year-old pacing colts on the Thursday program in Summerside winning in 2:01. The two-year-old gelded son of Malicious laid down the tempo at every station in the $12,680 event, cutting fractions of 29.3, 1:01.1 and 1:31.4 for trainer-driver Earl Smith before winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 2:01. Race favourite Red Dirt Boomer (Driven by Gilles Barrieau), another son of Malicious, was second while third went to Fern Hill Dynamic (Mark Bradley). Woodmere Bolt is owned by Peter Smith of Charlottetown, Gerald Morrissey of Vernon River and Arnold Hagen of Bible, N.S.
The other $12,680 A-division for rookie pacers was won by Notorious with Walter Cheverie at the controls in 2:03.1. Darryl MacLean of Winsloe co-owns and trains the two-year-old son of Malicious for co-owners Gordon MacLean, also of Winsloe, and Shirley Symes of Springhill, N.S. The Malicious trend continued in this division as another son of the first crop sire, Mrs Browns Boy, was second with Clare MacDonald at the lines while Red Dirt Rocknroll, by Articulator, was third for driver Lenny Myers.
The $2,500 B-divisions for two-year-old pacing colts were won by Flowersonthebeack in 2:01.1 for driver Ken Murphy and trainer Jeff Wallace and JJ Superman in 2:05.2 for trainer-driver Austin Sorrie.
By Nicholas Oakes
Wednesday July 11, 2018
SUMMERSIDE, PE – Overcoming an early break in stride, Therealdeal lived up to her name in the first Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division of the season for two-year-old pacing fillies Wednesday evening at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
Walter Cheverie was in the race bike for the 1:59 victory behind the two-year-old daughter of Westwardho Hanover in her $9,020 A-division for rookie pacing fillies. Therealdeal is trained by Joseph Baxter for owners Jennifer Baxter and Gregory Francis of Windsor, N.S. Second went to Woodmere Rio (Driven by Earl Smith) with Lady N Paradise (Dave Carey) finishing third.
Howmac Sabrina had an identical mile time winning the second $9,020 A-division for two-year-old pacing fillies in 1:59 with David Dowling at the lines for trainer Earl Watts and owners Windemere Farms of Hampshire and Brittany Watts of Warren Grove. Im A Miracle (Dale Spence) finished second while the $191.20 triactor ticket was completed by Elm Grove Nellie (Gilles Barrieau).
The final A-split was claimed by Magical Mistress and driver Adam Merner, winning the $9,020 division in 2:02.3 with a 28.1 closing panel for trainer Stephen Gass and owner Barry Martin of Sydney, N.S. Pacesetter Foxy Gigolo (Mike McGuigan) hung on for second with the first-over challenging Woodmere Tango (Clare MacDonald) finishing third.
Merner had four wins on the program also clicking with Whosurwinner in 1:59 for trainer Deanna Clow of New Haven, Tell Me Why in 1:59.1 for Joe MacDonald of Breadalbane and Shadows Mystery in 1:56.3 for trainer Gordie Ford.
The $2,500 B-divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies were won by Tobins Hope in 2:03.3 with Jack Panting in the bike and Something Reel in 2:03.3 for trainer-driver Darren Crowe.
Dana Sweet of Bloomfield Station celebrated his first victory as a pari-mutuel driver winning Hurricane EJ in the first dash of the Wednesday program in 2:02.1.
By Nicholas Oakes
SUMMERSIDE, PE – The draw was held Tuesday evening for this Saturday’s (July 14) $25,000 Governor’s Plate final, presented by Township Chevrolet Buick GMC, at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway with Euchred grabbing the coveted post 1.
Adam Merner drove the son of Shadow Play to victory in Governor’s Plate elimination one in 1:54 Sunday afternoon and now has the inside track to work with for this Saturday’s rich final. Elimination two winner Czar Seelster drew post 2 in the open draw during the Tuesday evening program at the Prince County oval. Kenny Arsenault drove the Todd Weatherbee trained pacer on his Sunday victory to an identical time of 1:54.Draw For $25,000 Governor’s Plate Final
Post – Horse – Driver
1 – Euchred – Adam Merner
2 – Czar Seelster – Kenny Arsenault
3 – Mr Irresistible – Gilles Barrieau
4 – Keep Coming – Corey MacPherson
5 – Nogreatmischief – Walter Cheverie
6 – Do Over Hanover – Jason Hughes
7 – In Spades – Austin Sorrie
8 – Cartoon Daddy – Dale Spence
By Nicholas Oakes
SUMMERSIDE, PE – Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway played host to the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters presented by Meridian Farms on the Tuesday evening program as part of Governor’s Plate Week racing with Kenny Arsenault winning a majority of the action.
Little Miss Winnie was the big winner of the program, hitting the wire first in the lone two-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes trot division for a purse of $15,580. Kenny Arsenault drove the filly for trainer Ralph Annear and owner Steven Sorrie of Montague. Time of the mile was 2:08. Second went to Ableway (Driven by Steven Shepherd) with Mile Hill Willie (Paul Morrison) completing the $339.70 triactor.
Arsenault also scored in a pair of $6,340 three-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes splits for a hat trick on the program. The Charlottetown driver visited the winner’s circle with Mile Hill AJ after a 2:03 mile for trainer Paul Morrison and owner John Breau of Shediac Cape, N.B. Second went to Daisy River (Paul Lanigan) with Never Fear (Danny MacDonald) finishing third.
Oceanview Eunomia hit the winner’s circle in another $6,340 division with Arsenault at the controls for owner-trainer Bill Roloson of Belfast. The daughter of Armbro Barrister stopped the clock in 2:02.1 over Majian Gilroy (Jim Ripley) and A Pure Heart (Danny MacDonald).
West River Cindy won her three-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes trot division in a mile time of 2:02.3, capturing the $6,340 division for driver Kenny MacDonald, trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley Shepherd of Stratford. Race favourite Buddy White (Adam Merner) was second while Oceanview Tadpole (Corey MacPherson) completed a $176.20 triactor.
Hop Up and MacPherson claimed the $1,950 Open Trot with a cooler presentation in memory of the late Boyd Leslie. Time of the mile was 2:00.4 for owner-trainer Keith Campbell of Tyne Valley.
By Nicholas Oakes