Driver David Dowling had Mantario in upset mode in the Saturday afternoon (Oct. 29) featured pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The $3,300 Preferred Pace saw Spicey P (Driven by Jason Hughes) go to the lead in :28.3 with Mantario sitting in the two-hole. Favourite Navalny (Adam Merner) moved up to engage Spicey P heading to the half of :57.2, then three-quarters of 1:26.1 was more of the same. Mantario contently watched those two battle, then surged in the stretch to win by over a length in 1:54.4 with Spicey P second and Moonwriter (Marc Campbell) third.
Jennifer Doyle co-owns and conditions the winning son of Sportswriter with co-owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe, P.E.I.
Dowling provided a repeat of Thursday evening as he again won both featured dashes on Saturday. The Dowling-trained and driven Boys Turn won the $2,900 back-up class in a speedy 1:53.4 over Acrobat Hanover (Marc Campbell) and Mr Rielly (Corey MacPherson). Joel and Jeremy Watts share ownership of the Shadow Play pacer with Clair Murphy of Millvale, P.E.I.
Merner did all kinds of smiling during the first portion of the card with the driver winning four dashes from the first five races. Merner scored with Tradition (1:56.3 winning mile) for trainer Gordie Hennessey, Neptune Seelster (1:58.2) for trainer Michael Gallant and in a Melissa Rennie trained double with Kataparka (1:56.2) and Hemingway (1:57).
Live racing continues Sunday afternoon (Oct. 30) at 1 p.m. (EDT) with the final program of the season at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)