Touch Of Lightning is going into the feature event as the one to beat Saturday at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 13-dash program has a first-race post time of 6 p.m.
The five-year-old son of Articulator is coming in off a three-length, 1:56.4 score for driver Earl Smith and owners Peter and Don Smith, Gerald Morrissey and Larry Chappell. He’ll line up in Post 4 in the Race 12 top class that has Astor (to be driven by Jason Hughes) and the fast-closing Shock The Rock (Corey MacPherson) applying pressure from the outside of the gate. The power-packed field will also star Cabo Pan Lucas (Vince Poulton), McJestic (Walter Cheverie), Balanchine (Ron Matheson), Narragansett (Kenny Arsenault) and Red Rock (Gary Chappell).
In other action, Stayoutofmyaffair drew the rail in the mares open for driver-trainer Jason Hughes and owner Robi Hughes of Stratford. The Hughes stable currently holds a .366 training average. Stayoutofmyaffair will attempt back-to-back victories and will be aiming for her ninth win on the campaign. For All We Know, owned by Bruce Wood, Marshfield, will try to spoil the party from Post 4 for trainer Jackie Matheson. The Matheson stable will also send out General Luckypercy in the race.
The open trot class has Zip The Lip going for his third win in a row in Race 5. The Donald Sweet trainee has 15 top-three finishes from 18 starts, which includes six top prizes. Driver Brian MacPhee will need to work out the trip from Post 6 with Abundaspin, who captured his 78th lifetime win on Thursday, charging away from the middle of pack. He only has three months left in his incredible racing career which includes 64 seconds, 39 thirds and $479,780 in earnings.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
Doucette Memorials highlight Summerside program
Red Shores’ Summerside is set to stage an action-packed harness racing program Sunday at 1 p.m. The program will honour Philip and Henry Doucette at the legendary Prince County oval.
Carnivore, owned by Valleygrove Farms and driven by Marvyn Webster, is the early favourite in the Philip Doucette Memorial (Race 12). The top class pays tribute to the Prince County Horsemen’s Club president who passed away last year. DBS Rosco is riding a two-race winning streak and is capable of knocking off the top choice for driver Kenny Arsenault and co-owners Wendell and Robbie Shaw and Derek Folland. Carrera Angel (Rocky Schurman), Blissful Bro (Gary Chappell) and veteran Blue Meadow Willie (Walter Cheverie) are all well poised to steal the show. Pictonian Press, Cambest Kisser and McMaverick complete the line-up.
The Henry Doucette Memorial is Race 7 with Jersey Joe gunning for the top spot from Post 2. Deanna Clow, New Haven and Mitchell Tierney, Roseneath, Ontario co-own the pacer who makes his 16th start for driver Jason Hughes. Ultimate Success and J V S Ring are also triactor candidates.
Hughes moves from one live drive to another when he jumps on Beckenbauer in the afternoon back-up class in Race 9. The $1,600 showdown puts Bad Date (Corey MacPherson) and Rash B Havior into contenders while Acra Beach Bajan and Athletic Putnam play role of spoilers.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Summerside, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)