CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – No matter where in North America a standardbred horse sale is held, you can make connections to Island harness racing and the recent January Select Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands in New Jersey is no exception.
The undefeated Pappy Go Go went through the ring at Monday’s sale and had the hammer fall at a $30,000 US bid, changing hands to Massachusetts’ interests. The now four-year-old son of Tad The Stud was bred by Meridian Farms of Milton and owned by Paul Gray of Pugwash, N.S., for his two- and three-year-old seasons. The talented trotter put together an impressive 13-for-13 season in 2017 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell, making him the first horse to go unbeaten from start to finish since Malabrigo in 2012. High Bid also put together an abbreviated undefeated season as a two-year-old in 2015.
In other Meadowlands sale action, fellow Campbell-trainee Island Energetic was sold to New York owners for a $15,000 US price tag. Owned by Gray and Bernadette Burgess of Dartmouth, N.S., the son of Articulator was also trained and driven by Campbell for his three-year-old season that saw him capture the $20,000 Atlantic Breeder’s Crown final while winning 10 of 15 races.
On the buying side, Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge reached for Western Phil, paying $14,000 US for the four-year-old son of Sportswriter. The horse had been racing the Woodbine circuit in Ontario and has four wins and a mark of 1:54.3 over Georgian Downs in Ontario.
Eldred Nicholson of North Wiltshire made an addition to his broodmare band with the four-year-old Art Major mare Chorale Hanover in foal to New York stallion So Surreal. The young mare carried a $3,200 US price tag at the sale.
P.E.I. Scene
My condolences to the family of Jeanette Clow on her passing this week. Clow was the mother of horse owner Les Clow, with her grandchildren Abby, Madalyn, Brett and Julia all regulars at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP) backstretch on race day.
Pictonian Sareta returns to Island racing this week as the daughter of Western Paradise is now owned by Tammy Collings of Hazel Brook and Austin Sorrie of Montague with Sorrie tending the training duties. A former Atlantic stakes competitor in 2013-14, the $150,000 winner now sports a mark of 1:54.4 taken over the half-mile oval at Flamboro Downs in Ontario. Jason Hughes will do the driving from Post 5 in Race 3 on Saturday afternoon’s card.
Somebeachsomewhere
Harness racing participants and fans across the world were saddened to hear of the passing of Somebeachsomewhere on Sunday.
The $3.3-million winner will forever be remembered for his 20 for 21 record and the way he united the industry in 2007-08 before going on to a successful stallion career in Pennsylvania. Owned by the Schooner Stable of Bible Hill, N.S., Somebeachsomewhere’s arch-rival in the second half of his three-year-old season was the Island co-owned and trained Shadow Play, who finished second to him in the $500,000 Breeder’s Crown final and in the pouring rain in the $650,000 Messenger Stake. May he rest in peace.
Who’s Hot
There is no such thing as a sure thing in harness racing and Salmonier Storm and owner-trainer-driver Ambyr Campbell continue to prove that week after week.
The now seven-year-old son of Western Ideal was a winner in the back-up pace Sunday afternoon at the CDP at 7-1 odds and will now have to face the top pacers on the grounds this week in the $2,400 preferred pace at the capital oval. Since being purchased from Newfoundland before the 2016 season, Salmonier Storm has developed into a talented racehorse with eight wins and more than $10,000 in the bank last season. While Campbell’s father, Brian MacPhee, is one of the top catch drivers in Island harness racing, she has proven she has the touch for the pacing horse, with all of his best times and efforts with her in the bike.
Nick’s Picks
Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park:
Race 1 – Ok Gladiator
Race 2 – Chevalier Semalu
Race 3 – Ideal Space
Race 4 – Fly With Max
Race 5 – Blazing By
Race 6 – Bettim Vicky
Race 7 – Tempo Seelster
Race 8 – Yankee No More
Race 9 – Rose Run Quest
Race 10 – Fern Hill Breeze
Race 11 – Cougar Gal
Race 12 – Smiley Bayama
Race 13 - Jeb
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
