A track record setting performance has set up an intriguing storyline heading into Friday evening’s Robert (Bob) McCain Memorial Pace at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock
. Abby Best, an eight-year-old daughter of Cambest, has served notice she will be a force in the $10,000 event to wrap up harness racing in New Brunswick’s first town during Old Home Week festivities.
With nine wins in eleven starts to her credit already this season, Abby Best has drawn Post 5 in the field of eight starters. It is believed to be the first time a mare has taken on the boys in the McCain. Todd Trites retains the driving assignment on the mare, owned and trained by Angus MacLean of Port Hood, N.S.
Abby Best finished third against males this past Saturday night at Truro Raceway, an appearance which snapped a six-race winning streak for her. Abby Best got back to her winning ways on New Brunswick Day afternoon, with a 1:56 score in the Erwin Andrew Memorial Pace, taking home the lion’s share of a $4,143 purse. With the win, Abby Best smashed the track record for aged pacing mares. The stakes will be significantly higher for her on Friday. Abby Best is the 6-1 selection on the morning line.
The top choice by the morning line odds-maker is St Pete Star (Gilles Barrieau), from the trailing post position seven. St Pete Star enters the race off a second place finish to Astronomical in 1:54.4 in the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Cup. A horse trained by Danny Romo, who has won the McCain in the past as a driver with El Perfecto, St Pete Star was only a half length behind Astronomical in last weekend’s $7,500 race. Barrieau will attempt to notch his third career McCain victory, having scored with Comedy Hour in 1996 and Copeland Dan in 2003.
The longest shot on the morning line is Walter Dale Memorial winner, All Star Dragon, who leaves from Post 4 for catch-driver, Stephen Trites. All Star Dragon is listed at 12-1.
Other starters include: Porthill Alf (Mike Stevenson-PP1), Riccaras Sun (TBA-PP2), San Marco Hanover (Ryan Ellis-PP3), Scotian Sunset (Harold Shepherd-PP6), and Lakota Hall (Walter Cheverie-PP8).
A Fredericton native, Stevenson guided three winners on the New Brunswick Day matinee. Stevenson is programmed to drive eight horses on the 11-dash card Friday, including 7-2 shot Beautys Spur (PP3) in the $3,000 Willard Kitchen Memorial Pace. A son of Fredericton Horse Racing Wall of Fame member Bob Stevenson, Mike is not scheduled to drive on tonight’s eight dash card. He will be competing with seven assignments tonight in Summerside, P.E.I. Post times for both tonight and Friday in Woodstock are slated for 7:30 p.m.
Another Wall of Fame member, 11-year-old Igoddago earned his 55th career victory on Monday at Connell Park for Mike Campbell with a triumph in 1:59. Igoddago has the outside six post in the Kitchen Memorial.
Other contenders include: Melodys Cookie Boy (Mark Haig-PP1), Gemstone (Walter Cheverie-PP2), Smart Barney (TBA-PP4), Woodmere Quickpeek (Todd Trites-PP5), and Dance Hanover (Ryan Ellis-PP7).
To view Friday's harness racing entries, click here.
(With files from HRNB)