Valleygrove Farms' Carnivore won the Saturday night feature in front of a packed house at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Walter Cheverie mapped out the winning drive in the $2,100 top pacing class tracking fifth in the early part of the mile as they watched a speed duel unfold between IDK (Mark Bradley) and My Lucky Killean (Gary Chappell) through opening fractions. The timer tripped the opening quarter-mile station in :27.3, which resulted in the first “Boom! Just like that!” of the spring meet from track announcer Vance Cameron. The track crew had the racing surface in great shape.
Cheverie put the Marvyn Webster trainee in the outside flow to the half in :56.4 and advanced to fourth past the next panel in 1:27. Carnivore used his flashy finishing kick for a one-length victory in 1:56.4, his second win from three starts. Outside The Wire (Jason Hughes) was second with Cabo Pan Lucas (John Holmes) completing the triactor. The 8-5-4 combination paid $557.70.
Driver Terry Gallant had a driving triple on the card. The Summerside P.E.I. pilot had his first picture taken with Arnold Dick for his co-owners Michael Gallant and the Cameron stables of Summerside. Fly With Max, owned by Wade Peconi of Stanchel, P.E.I. and Nicholas Peconi of Lakefield, Ont., and Motorino, who made a three-high move down the backstretch en route to his victory, were also part of the hat-trick for Gallant. Motorino is owned by Gallant and former Standardbred Canada director Eric Johnston of Summerside.
Pleasure Girls won the $1,500 Open Trot for Corey MacPherson, owner Shelley Gass and trainer Ron Gass in 2:02. MacPherson also won with Invader M in an impressive 2:00 score. The filly is trained by Kevin MacLean for owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I.
Kenny Arsenault had a driving double opening the card with Fleurje for trainer Nicholas Oakes and closed the program aboard The Big Bite for conditioner Thane Arsenault.
(With files from Red Shores)