By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The wait is over as live racing returns Saturday evening to Atlantic Canada with opening day at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The capital oval has a 12-dash presentation starting at 6 P.M. featuring a solid class of mares in the race 11 top event.
Tobins Brownie is the morning line favourite in the $3,250 race 11 feature from post 6 with David Dowling training and driving for owners Sandra Weeks, Erroll Burgoyne and Brittany Dowling. The Stonebridge Terror mare sits at $181,177 in lifetime earnings with 30 wins from 95 starts.
Elm Grove Mistress beat Tobins Brownie on the final card of the season and that mare has post 5 Saturday with Damian MacLellan receiving the call from trainer Jennifer Doyle. Elm Grove Mistress was superb every week in 2023 with 12 wins and sports a rock solid four wins from five starts in the winter meet of 2024.
Former Atlantic Champion Bettim Jackie has post 2 as she returns to the East Coast for trainer Jeff Lilley. Gilles Barrieau was in the seat as she won the Atlantic Breeder’s Crown in 2018 and he will sit behind her again on Saturday. The Andreoli Hanover nine-year-old last raced in 2021 for trainer Ron Burke in Ohio before moving on to the broodmare ranks.
Also in the field are Bump In The Road (To be driven by Brett Leblanc), Chelski (Corey MacPherson) and Therealprincess (Dr. Mitchell Downey).
The Post Time Picks will side with Tobins Brownie to start off the season on a winning note.
“Tobins Brownie was sent to the point last week and raced great just getting nipped at the end. She also must race from post six this time but could come calling late and get all the marbles.”
The program has a number of new arrivals dotted across the card with Arts Beach in race 1, James Reigns in race 3, The Sports Desk in race 5, former Gold Cup and Saucer trial starter Spectrum Seelster in race 6, Sidekick in race 7, Urika Blue Chip in race 8 and past Atlantic stakes winner Mr Kelly returning in race 9.
The Ise Pick 5 kicks off the program with a new $2000 guarantee pool beginning on race 1 followed by two Super Hi5’s and a late Pik4. PEI Players will now be included in the HPI Rewards program this season.
Play at the track or from home through HPIBET.COM. For the Race Day broadcast, race programs and more go to the new player portal at Redshores.ca.
