When the competition is as fierce as the Open pacing mares class has been all season, post position can make the world of difference. That post advantage will be put to the test Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 14-dash card kicks off at 12:30 P.M. with the Open pacing mares contesting Race 12 on the program for a $2,250 purse. The eight-horse field has Itsallabouthebass as the morning line favourite from Post 3 fresh off a victory in this class last week. The daughter of Yankee Cruiser had Post 2 for that latest outing and gets Kenny Arsenault back at the controls this week for trainer Jeff Holmes, who co-owns the mare with Trevor and David MacDonald of Vernon Bridge and Leonard Doyle of Vernon River.
Ramblinglily missed the board in her last two starts with outside posts in both events but gets Post 2 to work with Saturday afternoon for driver Ken Murphy and trainer Allan Jones. Prettyndangerous has been a force in this class all season with Post 5 Saturday for driver Adam Merner while Brodys Leona has rail control and has proven in the past she can upset her favoured foes.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac gives the nod to Ramblinglily who finally gets an inside position on the starting gate.
"Ramblinglily had to battle tough posts in her last couple so landing in the two hole is a big break," MacIsaac said. "If (Driver) Kenny Murphy can get her to an uncontested lead and steal a fraction it could be all over."
Other entries in Saturday's deep Open Mares event include Hurricane Hill (Walter Cheverie), Nikes Cowgirl (Marc Campbell), West River Ambyr (Steven Shepherd) and Good Luck Kathy (Jason Hughes).
Rose Run Quest was defeated in last weekend's preferred pace -- snapping a four-race win streak -- and gets a chance at redemption against Adkins Hanover this Saturday in the Race 13 preferred pace. Campbell holds the lines of Rose Run Quest from Post 4 for owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. The horse responsible for ending that win streak, Adkins Hanover gets Post 5 in Saturday's $2,400 contest with Corey MacPherson driving. The field also contains Smiley Bayma (Cheverie), Forever Paradise (Murphy), Red Magician (Merner) and Elm Grove Kaboom (Earl Smith).
Race 11 has the Joyriders Pace with a $1,800 purse. Nogreatmischief is the favourite and has rail control for trainer-driver Cheverie, who co-owns with John Thompson of Charlottetown.
The annual Drive for Charity promotion wraps on Saturday with special trackside presentations to local charities after Race 2.
For entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(with files from Red Shores)