Mantario, under the command of Brodie MacPhee, was placed as the winner in the feature on a special Victoria Day Monday afternoon (May 23) program on opening day of 2022 at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The $3,300 featured pace saw Heart And Soul aggressive from the start as driver Walter Cheverie guarded the pylons from post 1 and forced the heavily favoured Moonwriter into the two-hole going to a :27.4 opening quarter. Heart And Soul was still leading the field to the half when his right tire came off the rim, forcing driver Cheverie to take his horse wide and pull up and not finish the race before returning safely to his stable.
Colin Johnson trained Moonwriter was then handed the lead and held command the rest of the mile in :58.4 and 1:28.4 before closing the mile in 1:58. Mantario was three-quarters of length back in second at the finish with Hunger Pangs third. But officials with the Atlantic Province’s Harness Racing Commission then disqualified Moonwriter after determining the favourite made contact with Heart And Soul’s wheel while entering the two-hole at the quarter-pole, damaging the sulky's tire. Mantario was placed to first for co-owner and trainer Jennifer Doyle and co-owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe, with Hunger Pangs placed second as the only two horses to officially finish the race.
The Doyle stable made two trips to the winner’s circle on the opening program with Southwind Bronn winning Race 7 in 1:58.4.
Dowling had three wins on the afternoon to grab the early lead for the driving title and find himself at 1,499 wins on the verge of a career milestone. Dowling won with Sports Zipper (2:00) for trainer Clair Sweet, Watchhimtreasure (2:02.1) for the Earl Watts barn and Bludhaven (1:58.3) from his own stable.
Live racing continues Thursday (May 26) and and Saturday (May 28) at Red Shores Charlottetown with 6:30 p.m. (EDT) post times while Red Shores Summerside continues the 2022 season on Sunday afternoon (May 29) with the first leg of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and fillies.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(Red Shores)