SUMMERSIDE – An evenly-matched field of six will contest Sunday’s top class at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.
A total of 12 races will be contested, including the Race 11 $2,200 featured event with six entries. The tight knit group has race secretary Gerard Smith giving the advantage to Post 6 entry Mando Fun as the 5-2 morning-line favourite. Norris Rogers is in the bike this week for co-owner and trainer Paul Biggar of Tyne Valley and co-owner Donald Callbeck of Kensington.
Old Buck was awarded the win in his latest start after finishing second, and being placed forward to give him four wins from his last five starts.
The son of Ameripan Gigolo will leave from Post 4 this week for trainer Alan MacDonald, with David Dowling picking up the catch-driving call in the absence of regular pilot Jason Hughes, who is competing in stakes’ action in Nova Scotia.
Race analyst Bo Ford puts his faith in Mando Fun in spite of his post-position disadvantage.
“Mando Fun has had a string of bad luck over his last three or four races and even (Sunday) he draws the outside, but on paper he is still the one to beat,” Ford said.
Other Sunday afternoon featured entries include Offshore Cowboy (driven by Dale Spence), One Tough Nerd (Ken Murphy), Artist List (Adam Merner) and KD Overdrive (Stephen Mason).
Click here for story on Saturday's harness racing program in Charlottetown:
Back-up pace
The back-up pace has a field of six pacers putting their noses on the gate in Race 9 for an $1,800 purse. Instant Shadow is the morning-line choice from Post 4 for trainer Sifroi Melanson and New Brunswick owners Ultimate Stable of Greater Lakeburn and Robert Kyle of Calhoun.
Ryan DesRoche picks up the drive this week behind Instant Shadow. Other top entries include Salmonier Storm (Ambyr Campbell) and Pictonian Storm (Austin Sorrie).
Sunday’s card, which starts at 1 p.m., is part of National Caretakers Appreciation Day, with grooms for each horse announced during the post parade and entered for prize draws along with special certificates of recognition.
Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
