CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the 2018 Prince Edward Island harness racing season, a pair of top-notch rookie drivers have emerged from the crowd.
On last Saturday’s program at the Charlottetown Driving Park, 19-year-old Austin Sorrie established himself as the winningest rookie driver in the history of Island harness racing as he steered Pictonian Serata to victory from his own stable for win number 32 of the year.
Sorrie’s victory put him ahead of former record holder Corey MacPherson, who won 31 races during his rookie season in 2009. Sorrie, a resident of Montague, has put together a spectacular rookie campaign while doing things that no other driver has done in their first year on the East Coast. His first win came in his fifth lifetime start as he steered Thebestofme to victory in 2:02.1 of May 10, then saw his opportunities take off as he recorded the fastest win ever by a rookie on the East Coast with In Spades with a 1:53.1 win over Charlottetown in the preferred class for owner Walter Simmons of Summerside.
Sorrie’s first stakes win would come later in the year as JJ Powerball captured a $10,000 O’Brien Gold division at the Summerside Raceway. A young, aggressive driver, Sorrie is sure to become more of a feature on the Maritime scene in 2019.
The other rookie that is showing natural talent in the race bike is 19-year-old Drew Neill, who has won a combined five races on the last two cards at the capital oval. A native of Winsloe, Neill has been a fixture at the CDP the past few years. The personable rookie made his first lifetime start on May 17 at the CDP, then finally found the winner’s circle on Canada Day at the Summerside Raceway as he picked up the late call to driver Celebrate Your Bet to a 1:59.3 win for owner Doug Matheson of Cornwall. Neill has been gaining experience with every drive and has recently picked up the account for trainer Jackie Matheson, steering Collective Wisdom, Howmacs Dragonator and Woodmere Soul to victory in recent weeks.
Matheson’s regular pilot is renowned Maritime driver Gilles Barrieau, who returned to New Brunswick at the end of October, leaving the window open for Neill. The youngster’s recent success has led to him being listed on eight horses for the Boxing Day program being held at 12:30 p.m. next Wednesday at the CDP.
Nick’s Picks
Boxing Day at 12:30 p.m. at the CDP:
Race 1 – Avid Yankee
Race 2 – Prince Galaxy
Race 3 – Southfield Sassy
Race 4 – Easy Flyer
Race 5 – Oceanview Magnum
Race 6 – Freddie
Race 7 – Innocent Kiss
Race 8 – Hemingway
Race 9 – Collective Wisdom
Race 10 – Sendmeasign
Race 11 – Silverhill Buddy
Race 12 – Julep Hanover
Race 13 – Jetta FLys
Race 14 – Sock It Away
Race 15 – Rockin Indy
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
