CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The top stakes trotters in Atlantic Canada meet tonight at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park as they look to cement their position in the Island Breeder’s Series.
First race post time is 6:30 p.m. for the 12-dash card featuring the P.E.I. Colt Stakes for two- and three-year-old trotters with each horse vying for points for the Island Breeder’s final set for Oct. 27 in Charlottetown.
The rookie trotters will compete in a lone division in Race 6 for a $8,900 pot with nine entrants. Dusty Lane Titan is the morning-line favourite from Post 8 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Grayland Farm of Pugwash, N.S. The son of Tad The Stud rides a three-race win streak into the event but will face division leader Little Miss Winnie for just the second time in their careers.
That day, Little Miss Winnie left from the outside and was parked out for the duration, finishing fourth, while Dusty Lane Titan was second, but the roles will be reversed in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes. Little Miss Winnie will leave from Post 3 tonight wins in her two last races for trainer Ralph Annear and owner Steven Sorrie of Montague. Kenny Arsenault handles the driving duties for the filly. Mile Hill Willie was also a winner in his last race after making a break at the start and gets Gilles Barrieau back in the bike from Post 2.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac will side with the top money winner in the division.
“Little Miss Winnie gets a big-time post advantage over what looks to be her main rival and appears to have a fairly easy path to the front,” MacIsaac said. “Once there, there could be nothing but open road ahead.”
The three-year-old trotting colts have a pair of $6,200 P.E.I. Colt Stakes divisions in Races 4 and 8. West River Cindy is favoured in Race 4 with rail control for driver Kenny MacDonald, trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley Shepherd of Stratford. The Armbro Barrister filly has yet to miss the top two this season from six outings, including a best time of 2:00.3 in her latest start.
The $6,900 division in Race 8 will see Buckaroo and Windemeredontuworry tangle again. Buckaroo rides a three-race win streak into Post 2 with Campbell in the bike for owners Larry and Kathy Chappell of Marshfield, including an eight-length romp in his latest start. The defending Maritime Triple Crown winner, Windemeredontuworry is saddled with Post 7 with Barrieau at the lines for trainer Terry Gallant.
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
