CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A pair of win streaks will collide as the top pacers in Eastern Canada meet tonight at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash program begins at 6 p.m. at the capital oval with the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association invitational lining up in Race 12 for a $4,000 purse.
Gold Cup and Saucer finalist Lisburn has rail control in the field of seven, as he sits on two straight wins in preferred action for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault and owner Kevin Harvey of Hammonds Plains, N.S. The four-year-old son of Rocknroll Heaven has yet to miss the board in Atlantic Canada this season, including an open-length win in 1:53.3 his last time out.
Euchred scorched the Truro Raceway in identical time last week in the Johnny Conroy memorial invitational but will have to overcome Post 7 tonight to find the winner's circle and extend his win streak to four. Trainer Walter Walker of Inverness, N.S., will entrust the driving duties to Mike McGuigan.
Woodmere Ideal Art was a runner-up to Euchred last week and has Post 5 tonight with David Dowling in the bike for Sifroi Melanson of Greater Lakeburn, N.B. Top Island pacer Rose Run Quest is also in the field for trainer-driver Marc Campbell as the son of If I Can Dream boasts four straight top-three finishes.
“Lisburn dominated his last two races from start to finish and with him landing on the pylons tonight we’ll likely be looking at the same scenario,” said race analyst Les MacIsaac. “Other than the short price there's not much to dislike.”
The field also includes Burn Out Hanover (Corey MacPherson), Bugsy Maguire (Jason Hughes) and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie).
Sodwana Bay will look continue her fillies and mares open pace domination in Race 9 of the program for a $2,750 purse. Dale Spence picks up the catch-driving assignment from trainer Gilles Barrieau, who is competing in stakes action in Nova Scotia. With four straight wins on her card, Sodwana Bay's six rivals will have their hands full.
SUMMERSIDE
A horse fresh out of invitational action is pegged as the one to beat Sunday afternoon at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The 12-dash card begins at 1 p.m. with the $2,600 top class assembling in the finale.
JJ Powerball last competed in the Johnny Conroy memorial invitational, finishing fourth while pacing in 1:54.3 for trainer Wade Sorrie. That mile puts the target squarely on his back as the top pick, but he has his work cut out for him from Post 7. Spence will do the driving as the son of Image Of Dawn looks for his 12th lifetime win for owners Austin Sorrie of Ontario and Tammy Collings of Hazel Brook.
Mando Fun has rail control with Barrieau in the bike for co-owner and trainer Paul Biggar of Tyne Valley and co-owner Donald Callbeck of Kensington. Best To Hurst has Post 2 with Cheverie driving for trainer Earl Watts while former top class winner Phil Dorleans (Hughes) leaves from Post 3.
Heartland Eclipse cut out all the action last week and had to settle for a minor share. He gets leading driver Dowling from post 6.
The afternoon back-up pace hits the track in Race 9 with Ramset the top pick in the $2,300 class for combination of driver Dowling and Summerside’s leading trainer Elton Millar. The Rambaran pacer was a second-place finisher his last time out for owners Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris.
Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
