Machinthesand sure was enjoying playing on red soil Saturday night at Red Shores' Charlottetown.
After competing in the Governor's Plate, the five-year-old gelding by Mach Three enjoyed some well deserved class relief in Saturday's $2,200 Preferred 1 Pace as driver Brodie MacPhee blasted the Mark Bradley trainee off the wings in :28.2. MacPhee managed to get a second quarter breather for a half in :59.2. With a first over attack from Eagle Jolt, Machinthesand and MacPhee stepped on the accelerator, checking in at the three-quarters in 1:28 before kicking home in :28.1 for a mile in 1:56.1. Eagle Jolt was a bang up second, Cheyenne Ford was third. Machinthesand is owned by Russell and Karen Noonan.
In the evening finale, Willow Warrior was able to extend her win streak to three for trainer Brendan Curran. The three-year-old Western Terror filly enjoyed a three-hole ride before tipping out around the last turn to challenge fraction-setter J V S Ring. She was a going away winner in 1:57.1 for owner Alby Curran. Bradley handled the driving duties.
Driver Marc Campbell made use of his 11 drives on the 12-dash program, picking up three victories. Canadian Rocket got the ball rolling in the third race and in the fourth it was his own trainee, Howmacs Pride, who took the evenings trot race for owners Wade Peconi and Howmac Farms. Campbell followed that up in race 10 with the fastest mile of the night as Leading Camdidate torched the capital city oval in 1:55.4.
MacPhee picked up a double with Makes Me Stupid. Kenny Murphy picked up victories with Avid Yankee and First Art Down.
It was a milestone night for Rachel Andrew. In race seven she picked up her first career training victory with Everyday in 1:57.2. Her father Brian Andrew was in the bike. Rachel Andrew co-owns with her uncle Bill Andrew.
Racing returns to Red Shores' Summerside Wednesday night with a special 6:30 p.m start time. A 15-dash card is scheduled, including 13 divisions of the two-year-old Callbeck Stakes.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)