CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The harness racing community can’t wait for the season's first call to the post tonight in Charlottetown.
“It’s going to be different, but it’s going to be good,” said Marc Campbell, perennially one of the top drivers at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP). “We’re just thankful to be back racing.”
The Island track will be the first oval in Canada to host live harness racing since March. The P.E.I. season has been delayed about a month due to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic. And even though the races are back for the first time since Feb. 1, it’s not business as usual.
No fans are permitted at the track as strict rules and regulations were put in place to get the facility back up and running. The races can be viewed online at redshores.ca.
“I like being out on post parade and seeing people on the fence. It kind of gets your blood going, kind of gets you amped up for the race,” Campbell said. “That's what I am going to miss the most about it – the post parade and not seeing those people there.”
Vance Cameron will be back in the booth high above the track watching and calling the action.
Cameron’s calls energize the crowd, and he feeds off their enthusiasm.
“I am definitely going to miss the crowd, there’s no doubt about that, but I feed off the horses and the drivers, too,” the Summerside native said. “I think that I can overcome that obstacle, but, you know, I’ve never been in this position after 43 years in the announcer’s booth, so it’s going to be a little different for myself.”
One thing that won’t be missing is the traditional calls like, ‘Boom, just like that,’ from one of the best in the business.
“The 'booms' are going to be there and the 'brouhahas' and 'to it' and 'at it'. We’ll not get ready of all of that stuff,” he said.
Ones to watch
The fillies to watch for in Race 9 include Berazzled (Mike McGuigan), Dreamfair Zenfire (Marc Campbell) and Much Adoo (Brodie MacPhee).
- Berazzled moved into the Jonah Moase stable of Warren Grove after a private purchase by his father, Neal Moase, during the winter. The mare had been racing at Yonkers Raceway in New York and will leave from Post 2 as the morning-line favourite fresh off an 11-length romp in 1:56.1 in her qualifier.
- Dreamfair Zenfire also turned in an impressive qualifier in her first charted line on the East Coast as trainer Marc Campbell steered her to a 1:57.3 going-away victory Saturday over a muddy track with a two-second variant. Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris own the four-year-old daughter of Sunfire Blue Chip. She will leave from Post 6 on Thursday.
- Much Adoo is the third choice on the morning line but will be saddled with Post 7 for trainer Ron Matheson and owner Rollwithitharry Racing of Marshfield. MacPhee will be in the bike behind the Dover Downs ship-in. Tonight’s card will mark the return to the driving ranks for the 34-year-old MacPhee, a former top driver on P.E.I., who has not driven in a pari-mutuel race since August 2014.
Fred MacDonald, a sports columnist with The Guardian and editor of the Post Calls harness racing newspaper, said it is uplifting to see the races resume.
“It’s huge in this province. This is one of the harness racing strongholds in Canada,” he said.
Cameron pointed to the first qualifier on May 23 attracting 18,000 views online as an indication of the interest.
“People are very itchy to watch the real thing,” he said. “For me, it’s going to be exciting, and I know that the people watching have been waiting a long time for it. …
“I hope they’re not only going to watch us, but they’re going to wager a little money on us.”
MacDonald expects the bet will be high as it is the first track in the country to be racing.
“All the harness racing community in Canada will be watching tomorrow night because they’re in the same boat as us,” he said Wednesday. “They haven’t been racing either. They’ll be dying to see horses racing.”
And while the races begin tonight, everyone is hoping the province remains virus-free and further restrictions can be lifted.
Cameron pointed to the recent outbreak in northern New Brunswick and wondered what would happen if positive cases occurred here.
“We were so fortunate to get the lock opened, but again the lock could close just as quick."
At a glance
Here's a look at today’s first race card of the season at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
- When: 6 p.m.
- Number of races: 10.
- Feature: The $2,900 featured fillies and mares open pace lines up in Race 9.
- Online: More on the races can be found at theguardian.pe.ca. The races can be viewed at redshores.ca beginning at 5:30 p.m. Island patrons can bet on the races at hpibet.com.
Harness racing entries for Thursday, June 4 at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Post time is 6 p.m.
Race 1
- Shes A Lover R. Chappell
- Cinder Angelina J. Hughes
- What A Babe T. Walsh
- Jays Little Spark D. Spence
- Jens Credit R. Perrot
- C L La Rousse C. MacPherson
- Dueling Banjos Ma. Campbell
- Elm Grove Misty D.B. Kelly
Race 2
- Miss Sinfonia TBD
- I Can Do It S. Ford
- Roxy Lund J. Hughes
- Ms Moyse A. Merner
- Fear The Storm D. Dowling
- Yummy Spice A. Smith
- J J Kinley V. Doyle
- Dusty Lane Trysta A. Merner
Race 3
- Mrs Dragonfire C. Davies
- Julep Hanover W. Myers
- Badlands Giovanna M. McGuigan
- Paythelinebluechip Ma. Campbell
- Miss Sangria A. Merner
- Dreas Good Powow C. MacPherson
Race 4
- Bad Silver T. Walsh
- Bugtown Superstar C. Cheverie
- Windmerenoharmdone T. Wilkie
- Southfield Sue K. Murphy
- Cougar Gal N. Bambrick
- Dorabella M. McGuigan
- Scoot Out Of Here Ma. Campbell
- Bettim Jenny J. Lilley
Race 5
- Osprey Delta P. Larrabee
- Now Look At Here Bri. MacPhee
- Ableway S. Shepherd
- Mykindofparty G. Chappell
- Oceanview Ruby B. Leblanc
- Westview Star C. MacPherson
Race 6
- Bettorthanbobbi M. Bradley
- Kant Katch Kaiden D. Spence
- Fern Hill Delight K. Arsenault
- Cooking The Speed Bro. MacPhee
- Evening Maelstrom K. Murphy
- Ezra Express Ma. Campbell
- Avenue Road Katie A. Merner
Race 7
- Still Owing A. Smith
- Thebossisagirl Bro. MacPhee
- Josten Hanover J. Hughes
- Tobins Choice G. Chappell
- Ubettimagoodone J. Lilley
- Dustylanebukinfuty C. MacPherson
- Windemere Mcseek D. Dowling
- Woodmere Nasha K. Arsenault
Race 8
- Selfie K. Murphy
- Hurricane Hill C. MacPherson
- Howmac Blaze Ma. Campbell
- Medici Hanover D. Dowling
- Good Luck Kathy A. Smith
- Dapple Apple Bro. MacPhee
- Clare Hall Hanover A. Merner
Race 9
- Collective Wisdom R. Matheson
- Berazzled M. McGuigan
- Southwind Ion J. Hughes
- Woodmere Chella D. Dowling
- Private Di K. Arsenault
- Dreamfair Zenfire Ma. Campbell
- Much Adoo Bro. MacPhee
Race 10
- Dancers Pass S. Shepherd
- Killean Finale K. Murphy
- Miss Kabana V. Poulton
- Rocknrols Image J. Hughes
- Tell Me Why C. MacPherson
- Arc Light Ma. Campbell
- Imagine Speed N. Oakes
