CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The second trial for the Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park hit the track Monday evening with two common denominators leading to the winner’s circle in both events, front end control and trainer Rene Allard.
The second $12,500 trial headlined the Monday evening card as part of Old Home Week Racing with Bet On Brett seizing control of the race before the first turn and fighting off all challenges in 1:51.2.
Driver Louis-Philippe Roy sent his charge to the lead from the start to put down splits of 27.2 and 56.1 before being challenged on the outside by the first-over Lincolnjames (driven by Anthony MacDonald). The three-quarters were tripped in 1:24.1 with Bet On Brett and Lincolnjames neck-and-neck before Roy steered his horse to the wire first in the stretch drive. Lincolnjames was second with the pocket sitting Asap Hanover (Jody Jamieson) finishing third and Always N The Money (Travis Cullen) earning the final spot in Saturday’s $60,000 final. Those four will join Somewhere Fancy, Rockin In Heaven, Rose Run Quest and Fool Me Once in the final.
This was the first start for Bet On Brett in the barn of trainer Rene Allard after being purchased by Red Isle Racing of North Granville, Donald and Steven MacRae of Vernon Bridge and Allard Racing of Saint-Esprit, Que.
Allard trained Bet On Brett last Wednesday over the Charlottetown Driving Park to get him ready for competition on a half-mile track.
“The first time that he trained he was okay, then the second time he made a little break,” Allard said of Wednesday’s training session. “Then we made a few adjustments and scored him a quarter in like 27 seconds in the jogcart so we knew he’d get around. This horse is owned by such a big group from here that honestly I was nervous. It was a new horse, first start and I put a lot of pressure on myself. Normally I don’t get nervous but Steven MacRae owns part of this horse and I always have a soft spot for him and Donnie MacRae has been great to me and then there is the group from Kensington.”
In Monday’s trial, Allard was surprised with how the first quarter unfolded after assuming Anthony MacDonald use his regular tactics of leaving off the gate.
“I thought Anthony’s horse was a really good horse and honestly I was concerned. I thought Anthony would be blasting out of there and we would get a two-hole trip. Anthony is not normally known for being conservative but that’s probably what won us the race, we made front and Anthony was caught first up.”
After winning both trials, Allard’s concerns rest with Lincolnjames and Rockin In Heaven to win Saturday’s final.
“Rockin In Heaven is the best horse going to the Gold Cup and Saucer final now if this was Mohawk I think it would be very difficult to beat him,” he said. “On a half-mile track I think there are ways to beat him but he is incredibly sharp right now. After the wire Saturday night was still coming.”
Allard finds it fitting that Rockin In Heaven’s trainer, Teesha Symes, had her first experience in the Gold Cup and Saucer paddocking Royal Becquet for him 10 years ago and now she is his biggest competition.
“If Teesha wins the Gold Cup and Saucer that would be awesome, I would be very happy for her. It would be great for all the girls out there that dream of being a trainer that they can win a big race like the Gold Cup and Saucer. I’m just very fortunate that we won both trials and no matter what happens Saturday night we’re here and we’re having a blast.”
The Gold Cup and Saucer post-position draw was held Tuesday evening at the CDP. Go towww.Theguardian.pe.ca for the complete draw.
Wednesday
Old Home Week racing continues Wednesday with a 12-dash card featuring the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts kicking off at 7 p.m. The evening has a pair of $13,680 A-divisions for the rookie pacers with the Race 8 split featuring Woodmere Bolt trying to stay undefeated in his career for trainer-driver Earl Smith.
CDP Results
Harness racing results from Monday night at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Race 1 – Southern Heart (G. MacDonald) 4.30 2.40 2.10; Way Over (C. Cheverie) 3.50 2.20; Sports Highlights (T. Walsh) 2.70.
Times: 29.2, 1:00.3, 1:30.4, 2:00.4. Also ran: Lyndale Coco, Beach Cloud, Bettor News, Camco Wily, I Can Do It. Winning horse owned by Garry MacDonald, Ontario; and Carrie Privett, Nova Scotia. Exactor 3-4 $16.50; Triactor 3-4-5 $30.40; Superfecta 3-4-5-6 $127.40.
Race 2 – Windemere Nancy (D. Dowling) 18.00 6.10 6.30; Southfield Sue (Ma. Campbell) 3.70 2.30; Bugtown Superstar (G. Chappell) 3.00.
Times: 28.3, 58.1, 1:28.1, 1:59.1. Also ran: Hurricane E J, Ritas Xample, Fleurje, Regal Party Girl, Royal Native. Winning horse owned by Windemere Farms, North Wiltshire. Exactor 7-3 $109.00; Triactor 7-3-2 $442.60; Superfecta 7-3-2-8 $478.21; DD 3-7 $94.60.
Race 3 – Whitemountain Nemo (L. Roy) 4.70 2.90 2.10; Good Friday Three (J. Jamieson) 2.40 2.10; Positive Art (C. MacPherson) 2.10.
Times: 29.1, 58.4, 1:28.1, 1:56.2. Also ran: American Blue Chip, R Es Aiden. Winning horse owned by 9267 7327 Quebec Inc., Mont-Joli, Que. Exactor 5-4 $13.60; Triactor 5-4-1 $24.40.
Race 4 – Cougar Gal (G. Barrieau) 14.00 3.70 2.80; Perfect Raider (J. Hughes) 30.70 10.30; Diduseethat (Ma. Campbell) 2.40.
Times: 28.3, 57.3, 1:28.3, 1:58.2. Also ran: Brief Interlude, Bet Er All, Sandhill Star, Rojans White Jet, Take The Chance. Winning horse owned by Neal Moase, Cornwall. Exactor 5-8 $512.90; Triactor 5-8-3 $1,292.80.
Race 5 – Gringo Star (D. Spence) 7.20 4.20 2.30; Eastern Exposure (D. Romo) 3.20 2.10; Arts Taxi (R. Gillis) 4.50.
Times: 29.2, 100.1, 130.1, 159.4. Also ran: State Of Play, Elm Grove Matthews, J J Antonio, Brandons Last. Winning horse owned by Allison Ramsay, Winsloe North. Exactor 7-5 $12.50; Triactor 7-5-2 $198.10; Superfecta 7-5-2-4 $193.95.
Race 6 – K D Overdrive (G. Barrieau) 4.30 2.60 2.10; Unstoppable Speed (A. MacLean) 4.90 2.70; Casimir Obama (K. Arsenault) 2.80.
Times: 27.4, 56.4, 126.1, 155.1. Also ran: Makes Me Stupid, Fly With Max, Rawdon Gold Digger. Winning horse owned by Stephen Downey, Quispamsis, N.B. Exactor 5-3 $13.10; Triactor 5-3-6 $71.30; Superfecta 5-3-6-2 $57.85.
Race 7 – Cartoon Daddy (D. Spence) 6.40 2.60 3.00; Likely To Win (A. Merner) 3.60 3.30; Winter Blast (J. Hughes) 2.20.
Times: 28.1, 56.2, 125.4, 154.4. Also ran: Code Word, Southwind Ricardo. Winning horse owned by William Andrew, Alberta; and Brian Andrew, P.E.I. Exactor 4-2 $27.30; Triactor 4-2-5 $52.50.
Race 8 – Lexis Mandy (L. Roy) 4.10 3.60 2.20; Badlands Giovanna (T. Cullen) 6.60 4.40; Imacaroltoo (A. Merner) 2.90.
Times: 28.2, 57.4, 128.1, 156.4. Also ran: Anzula, What A Babe, Scotian Lass, Sir Native, Bignprecious. Winning horse owned by Chris MacKay, French River. Exactor 5-4 $17.80; Triactor 5-4-6 $64.20; Superfecta 5-4-6-7 $2.90.
Race 9 – Julep Hanvoer (J. Jamieson) 6.50 4.80 2.10; Brodys Leona (C. MacPherson) 5.20 2.70; Shadows Mystery (A. Merner) 2.60.
Times: 29.1, 58.2, 127.3, 156.4. Also ran: Bettim Vicky, Good Luck Kathy, Drivingthedragon N. Winning horse owned by Wade Myers, Charlottetown. Exactor 5-6 $36.80; Triactor 5-6-3 $102; Superfecta 5-6-3-2 $92.20.
Race 10 – Confident Fella (Ma. Campbell) 3.40 3.00 2.30; Caughtfoolinaround (M. Bradley) 3.90 3.30; Vital Art (A. MacLean) 3.80.
Times: 28.2, 58, 128.1, 157.2. Also ran: Rusty Riley, Political Crisis, Sharks Play, Threestepstoheaven, Gerries Beach. Winning horse owned by David and John Sweet, O’Leary. Exactor 1-4 $14.50; Triactor 1-4-2 $56; Superfecta 1-4-2-7 $79.95.
Race 11 – Bet On Brett (L. Roy) 3.80 3.20 2.40 Lincolnjames (A. MacDonald) 3.10 2.80 Asap Hanover (J. Jamieson) 2.40.
Times: 27.2, 56.1, 124.1, 151.2. Also ran: Always N The Money, In Spades, Czar Seelster, Newbie. Winning horse owned by Allard Racing, Quebec; Red Isle Racing, Donald and Steven MacRae, P.E.I. Exactor 2-3 $18; Triactor 2-3-4 $39.90; Superfecta 2-3-4-1 $36.55.
Wager – $97,054.
