CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – A late break in stride by Czar Seelster sealed the deal for Rose Run Quest in Sunday’s feature race at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 13-dash program was originally scheduled for Saturday, but impending weather moved the program to Sunday this week.
Czar Seelster powered to the front in the $2,400 preferred pace being released by pacesetter Drivingthedragon N at the 28.1 opening quarter. Driver Todd Weatherbee and Czar Seelster continued the brisk tempo with fractions of 58.3 and 1:28.4 with race favourite Rose Run Quest (Marc Campbell) moving up from last place in the compact field of five.
Rose Run Quest challenged Czar Seelster neck-and-neck in the final quarter then a break in stride just before the wire by Czar Seelster handed the victory to Campbell and Rose Run Quest in 1:58.4. Czar Seelster finished second with Woggy Rocks (Gary Chappell) third.
Campbell trains Rose Run Quest for owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. It was one of three wins by the King of Island racing as a trainer and as a driver.
Campbell also visited the winner’s circle with Diduseethat in 2:01.3 from his own barn and teamed up with the Jeff Lilley-trained Bettim Vicky to win Race 5 in 2:04.4. The other Campbell-trained occurred when Adam Merner and Jetster stopped the clock in 2:00.2 in Race 11.
Driver Ken Murphy had three winners on the opening program of 2018, including My Lucky Killean in 2:00.1 for trainer and father Clifford Murphy of Brackley, Cougar Gal in 2:03.3 for trainer Drew Neill of Winsloe and Alberta Sky in 2:00.2 for trainer Eric Doucette of South Rustico.
Merner also had a driving double on the program.
The results from the 2017 trainer-driver challenge were announced with Campbell garnering the top prize of $2,000. Jason Hughes was second in the annual challenge for a $1,500 payday, while $1,000 went to Kenny Arsenault in third place and Gary Chappell received $500 for finishing fourth. The trainer-driver challenge was formed to honour the dedication, time and talent of trainer-drivers in the Island harness racing industry.
Live racing continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Charlottetown.
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
CDP Results
Harness racing results from Sunday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Race 1 – Casimir Obama (M. Bradley) 23.80 18.50 8.80; The Gormanizor (J. Hughes) 4.10 2.50; Solanos Dragon (K. Ford) 4.60.
Times: 29.3, 59.4, 130.1, 201.1. Also ran: Leaveitwithme, Redwhiteandboots, C J Bluefin, Hopedale Paris, American Captain. Winning horse owned by J. Darin MacKenzie, Charlottetown. Exactor 6-4 $59.70; Triactor 6-4-8 $503.70.
Race 2 – Alberta Sky (K. Murphy) 4.10 2.70 2.20; Cowboy Chrome (A. Merner) 3.20 3.00; Miramonttago (R. Neill) 10.70.
Times: 29.2, 59.3, 129.3, 200.2. Also ran: Slide Guitar, Artners In Crime, OK Gladiator, Windemere Rene. Winning horse owned by Eric Doucette, Nigel and Leona Smart, P.E.I. Exactor 5-2 $10.70; Triactor 5-2-3 $40.90; Superfecta 5-2-3-4 $139.60; DD 6-5 $135.90.
Race 3 – Diduseethat (M. Campbell) 7.00 3.90 2.90; Someone Like You (B. Blanchard) 8.60 5.60; Vintage Winner (K. Arsenault) 4.00.
Times: 29.2, 100.1, 130.3, 201.3. Also ran: Jinglewriter, Dusty Lane Zendaya, Regal Party Girl, Yankee No More. Winning horse owned by James Struthers, Port Morien, N.S. Exactor 7-1 $72.90; Triactor 7-1-3 $309.60; Superfecta 7-1-3-5 $121.37.
Race 4 – Tempo Seelster (J. Hughes) 3.90 2.90 2.60; Oh To Be Me (G. Chappell) 2.30 2.10; Woodmere Soul (R. Matheson) 2.60.
Times: 29.3, 59.4, 129.2, 159.2. Also ran: Laughing Terror, Miramichi David, Political Crisis, Mach Of Ballykeel, Western Rocker. Winning horse owned by Vincent Poulton, Charlottetown. Exactor 7-1 $7.20; Triactor 7-1-3 $70; Superfecta 7-1-3-4 $261.95.
Race 5 – Bettim Vicky (M. Campbell) 5.20 3.20 2.30; Bad Silver (M. Bradley) 3.50 2.50; Caliban Hanover (A. Merner) 3.80.
Times: 29.4, 100.2, 131.4, 204.4. Also ran: Brandons Last, Royal Adventure, Hello Chipper, Mia Lotta. Winning horse owned by Danny Purcell, Nova Scotia; Jeffrey Lilley, Blair Maclauchlan and Dawn Moore, P.E.I. Exactor 3-5 $22.60; Triactor 3-5-4 $66.10; Superfecta 3-5-4-2 $117.65.
Race 6 – Jackie O (G. Hennessey) 36.90 14.80 6.50; Fleurje (J. Hughes) 7.40 4.20; Jays Little Spark (D. Spence) 7.20.
Times: 30.1, 101.2, 133.1, 206.3. Also ran: Royal Native, Whitesand Artist, Onehotvett, Blazing By, Tipsy Mcstaggers. Winning horse owned by Gary Mcguigan. Charlottetown. Exactor 5-4 $193.40; Triactor 5-4-6-7 $106.70.
Race 7 – Keep Coming (A. Merner) 21.20 7.00 3.10; Forever Paradise (M. Campbell) 2.20 2.10; Jeb (J. Hughes) 2.20.
Times: 29.1, 59.1, 128.4, 159.1. Also ran: Cyrax, Force Seelster, Jetta Flys. Winning horse owned by William Andrew, Calgary; and Brian Andrew, Milton Station. Exactor 1-4 $67.10; Triactor 1-4-2 $126; Superfecta 1-4-2-3 $186.25.
Race 8 – Cougar Gal (K. Murphy) 17.50 5.40 6.50; Charlottes Western (M. Campbell) 2.70 2.20; Rojans White Jet (C. Macpherson) 6.90.
Times: 29.3, 101.4, 131.4, 203.3. Also ran: Anzula, Winrlosedrnkdaboze, Caught Me Speeding, HP Rubis Joyce. Winning horse owned by Neal Moase, Cornwall. Exactor 3-1 $33; Triactor 3-1-4 $368.20; Superfecta 3-1-4-5 $84.84.
Race 9 – Rose Run Quest (M. Campbell) 2.70 2.20 2.10; Czar Seelster (G. Weatherbee) 3.80 2.60; Woggy Rocks (G. Chapell) 4.20.
Times: 28.1, 58.3, 128.4, 158.4. Also ran: Drivingthedragon, Smiley Bayama. Winning horse owned by Blair Hansen, Charlottetown. Exactor 5-4 $5.80; Triactor 5-4-3 $20.30.
Race 10 – Julep Hanover (W. Myers) 9.90 4.00 3.00; Ideal Space (M. Bradley) 8.90 6.40; Collective Wisdom (R. Matheson) 3.30.
Times: 28.4, 59.1, 129.3, 201.1. Also ran: Hurricane Hill, Good Luck Kathy, Lexis Mandy, Woodmere Articblue. Winning horse owned by Wade Myers, Charlottetown. Exactor 2-6 $189.95; Triactor 2-6-All $ 157.30.
Race 11 – Jetster (A. Merner) 12.50 7.40 3.80; Dilans Mustang (D. Spence) 13.00 5.00; Windsun Rebel (V. Doyle) 5.00.
Times: 30.1, 101.1, 130.2, 200.2. Also ran: Fern Hill Breeze, Pictonian Storm, Zingers Laugh. Winning horse owned by James Struthers, Port Morien, N.S. Exactor 5-1 $117.90; Triactor 5-1-2 $605.45; Superfecta 5-1-2-6 $760.08.
Race 12 – Salmonier Storm (A. Campbell) 16.30 4.60 3.60; Eagle Jolt (M. Campbell) 2.10 2.10; Harbourlite Jerry (S. Shepherd) 6.90.
Times: 29.1, 59.1, 129.3, 159.3. Also ran: Silverinyourpocket, Tell Me Why, Winter Blast, Painted Pony, Cartoon Daddy. Winning horse owned by Ambyr Campbell, Charlottetown. Exactor 1-3 $41.20; Triactor 1-3-2 $317; DD 5-1 $43.40.
Race 13 – My Lucky Killean (K. Murphy) 14.70 9.40 4.60; All Out (A. Merner) 5.80 4.20; Fly With Max (J. Hughes)3.10.
Times: 28.3, 59.4, 129.4, 200.1. Also ran: The Big Bite, Four Corners, Threestepstoheaven, Celebrate Your Bet, Chevalier Semalu. Winning horse owned by Dr. Mary Mcniven, Nine Mile Creek. Exactor 6-2 $136.80; Triactor 6-2-3 $368.80; Superfecta 6-2-3-1 $307.53.
Wager – $34,433.
