The rookie and sophomore trotters will convene for their first meeting of the season Tuesday evening at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate Week racing.
The 12-dash program kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Prince County oval with the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters sponsored by Meridian Farms.
The two-year-old division in race 4 could well be the largest purse of the season for the rookies with just eight entrants making for a combined purse of $15,580.
All eight horses are making the first starts of their careers but Little Miss Winnie is the early favourite by virtue of her 2:07 qualifier at Red Shores Charlottetown. Kenny Arsenault will drive the daughter of Tad The Stud from post 5 for trainer Ralph Annear and owner Steven Sorrie of Montague.
In three-year-old trotting action, race 2 will be the first split on the program with Sailor Blue favoured in the $6,340 event. Ken Murphy is in the race bike for trainer Cindy MacDonald of Montague, who co-owns the Armbro Barrister filly with Yossi Martonovich.
Daisy River (Driven by Paul Lanigan) and Miss Emerson Ridge (Clare MacDonald) are other top entries.
The second division is in race 6 as A Pure Heart is selected for the top spot with post 5 for trainer-driver Danny MacDonald and owners Boyd MacDonald Produce Ltd of Crapaud and Daniel Ross of Belfast. The Armbro Barrister colt was a second place finisher in his latest outing with Kent Beattie in the bike.
The top three morning line choices are filled by Majian Gilroy (Jim Ripley) and Dustylaneambyr (Jack Panting).
Buddy White gets top billing in the final $6,340 split in race 8 by virtue of being the only horse in the division to win a race in this early point of the 2018 season. Adam Merner was in the bike that day and is back at the controls Tuesday from post 2 for trainer Stephen Gass and owner Blayne White of Belle River.
Other top entries include West River Cindy (Clare MacDonald) and Osprey Delta (Walter Cheverie).
(Red Shores Summerside)