The top pacers in 'coast racing' are just part of the hottest party on Prince Edward Island, as Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park rings in the new year.
The special Sunday (Dec. 31) New Year's Eve program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Atlantic time with a 14-dash card on tap. Red Shores will offer shuttle service from the Park Street parking lot to the Red Shores main entrance every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 p.m.
Rose Run Quest will headline the special presentation in the Preferred pace (race 13) as the final scheduled drive of Marc Campbell's historic 2017 season. The Campbell-trained and driven pacer rides a three-race win streak into post 6 in the $2,400 New Year's Eve Pace for owner Blair Hansen. Campbell has been setting records on all fronts, enjoying the most lucrative training season in Atlantic Canadian racing history in both wins and earnings, as well as the highest purse earnings ever by a driver on the East Coast. He also broke his own Red Shores Charlottetown win record of 144 wins from the 2016 season, as he currently has 156 victories in Charlottetown during 2017 among 249 total victories across the region, the second-highest number ever attained in Atlantic Canadian racing history.
The 'King' of Island racing, Campbell is listed to drive in 11 races on the Sunday evening 2017 finale as he looks to pad his impressive number.
Rose Run Quest goes into the New Year's Eve Pace as the morning line favourite, but has to overcome the outer post of the six-horse field which includes the returning Adkins Hanover (Driven by Corey MacPherson), who was absent from action on Boxing Day.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees a high probability of Rose Run Quest adding to his win streak.
"Had Rose Run Quest's latest race been a fight, it might have been stopped. That’s how easily he won," MacIsaac said. "He’s now sitting on three straight and still has only been off the board once since Old Home Week. Hard to go against form like that."
Other preferred entries include Jeb (Jason Hughes), Woggy Rocks (Gary Chappell), Czar Seelster (Todd Weatherbee), and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie).
Other top attractions on the Sunday evening program include the top pacing mares battling in race 11 and the Alpine Pace featured in race four, with Woodmere Articblue and Campbell the morning line favourite.
The New Year's Eve program will also offer a Pick 5 with a $500 jackpot for any player who correctly nails the five winners and every customer purchasing the Pick 5 having a chance to win wagering vouchers.
The Johnny Oliver Band will be in the house playing live music for the New Year's Eve celebrations that will also see a free slot tournament with cash prizes and a cash climb on the casino floor.
For information about the red-hot action on the racetrack or inside Red Shores on New Year’s Eve, go to www.redshores.ca. Live racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown into 2018 with the final card of the winter meet scheduled for Feb. 3.
To view entries for Sunday’s card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Red Shores Charlottetown.
(Red Shores)