By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Record setting was on the agenda for Oceanview Nikki in the Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s Stake Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The $12,050 Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s stake for two-year-old trotting fillies had Mike McGuigan trained stablemates Oceanview Nikki (Driven by McGuigan) and Supreme Rockette (Gilles Barrieau) battle to the wire in a 1:59.3 final time. Blue Diamond Racing of Emyvale shares ownership of the EL Rocket – King Kong Kate filly with Josh MacDonald of Little Pond. The mile erased the former 2:00.1 two-year-old trotting filly track record held by Oceanview Rumours and establishes a new rookie filly Atlantic Sired Record for the region.
Rocket Blast (MacPherson) had his win streak snapped at four-straight in the Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s three-year-old trot colt class for a $10,975 purse as Dusty Lane Darby (Adam Merner) snagged him in the stretch drive to win in 2:00.2. Merner trains the EL Rocket – Delta Dental colt for owners Herman McQuaid and Jared Perrot.
West River Jet overcame an early break to romp by 28-lengths in 2:00.4 in the Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s stake for two-year-old trotting colts. The $12,050 race had Kenny MacDonald driving the EL Rocket – Kaddys Angel colt for trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley MacDonald of Stratford. Stablemate Marcus Down Ridge (Clare MacDonald) finished second.
Driver Jason Hughes teamed up with trainer Ashley Gamester for a pair of wins with Century Kalima (1:59) and Fight Song (1:57.2). Hughes also won with Elm Grove Mistress (1:56) as part of Jennifer Doyle training triple.
Driver David Dowling won three on the program including the opener with the Todd Walsh trained Talk Some Smack (1:57) and with the Doyle trained duo of Shake N Blake (1:56) and Woodmere Heather M (1:57).
Dusty Lane Wee (Marc Campbell) was the best in the Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s for three-year-old trotting fillies in 2:01.2 for $10,975 from the Lenny Myers barn for owners Ron Gass and Garry MacDonald. The dash was held as a non-betting race prior to the official program.
Live racing continues Saturday at Red Shores Charlottetown with a special Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s doubleheader with programs at 12 P.M. and 6 P.M.