The five-year-old son of Mister Big was a winner in his latest outing in 1:54.1 over the half-mile Flamboro Downs oval in Ontario for owner Daniel Birt of Stratford. He gets the services of Jason Hughes Saturday for trainer Jennifer Trainor of Earnscliffe in the $2,400 Race 9 preferred pace.
First race post time is 6 p.m. for the 10-dash card with the Race 9 feature heavy with power, including Adkins Hanover from Post 4 for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Trevor Hicken of Montague. Pictonian Storm (to be driven by Wade Sorrie) has the rail, with Junebugs Baby getting Cape Breton reinsman Greg Bailey above the wheels and Eagle Jolt leaving from the outside Post 5 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell.
The back-up pace lines up in Race 6 with some fresh faces.
Relleno Hanover is a new addition for trainer Jansen Sweet and draws Post 4 in the $2,100 event with Hughes driving. The six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Islanders Jansen and Allison Sweet, as well as Susan Thomson along with Brody Ellis of Alberta. The pacer has a mark of 1:54.4 taken over Dover Downs in Delaware.
Mybestolxfriendray has Post 2 in the race with Campbell aboard for Jennifer Trainor, who co-owns with Helen Dunning of Stratford and Donna Van Meer of Ontario. The five-year-old Cheyenne Rei gelding was racing the claiming ranks in Ontario and has a mark of 1:56 over Miami Valley Raceway in Ohio.
The field also includes newcomers Twin B Shadow (Ken Murphy) and Give Em Heck (Colin Sheppard).
Race 4 has Internal Check making her P.E.I. debut for owner Jamie Whalen of Vernon Bridge and trainer-driver Mike McGuigan. The nine-year-old mare boasts just shy of $200,000 in career earnings, a mark of 1:53 over Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania and 38 lifetime wins.
Sandinista has Post 2 in Race 2 for driver MacPherson, and co-owner and trainer Clair Sweet of O'Leary. The five-year-old son of Santanna Blue Chip has 53 lifetime outings with just one victory in 2:01.3 over Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres, Que., but was an impressive winner in his qualifying outing Saturday at the capital oval.
P.E.I. Scene
Although not entered to race, Thebestofme now calls P.E.I. home with new trainer Kyle Wilkie of Charlottetown. The nine-year-old grey son of Armbro Reply has 28 lifetime wins, $124,444 in earnings and a career best of 1:55.1 over Trois-Rivieres. The pacer has been racing claimers in New York.
Missing from action for the foreseeable future is the CDP’s regular timer, Nicole Herbert, who has been battling health issues. A faithful employee and avid race fan, Herbert is on the road back to recovery. My best wishes that it happens soon.
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
