By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The capital oval will roar to life on Saturday evening with a stakes-packed card as the P.E.I. Colt Stakes doubleheader continues alongside the Richard Campbell Memorial Pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 14-dash mega-presentation begins at 6 P.M.
The feature attraction is the $9,000 Richard Campbell Memorial Pace in race 14, sponsored by Reliable Motors, which has drawn seven of the finest free-for-all pacers in the region. Twin B Tuffenuff comes in as the 5-2 morning line favourite with Gilles Barrieau in the bike from post 3 for trainer Ron Matheson. The pacer will look to add another Richard Campbell Memorial to his resume after last winning the race in 2022. Bee Two Bee (To be driven by Jason Hughes) will leave from post 4 as he looks to defend his title after winning this race the past two seasons. Also in the field are Saulsbrook Ian (Adam Merner), Better Than Spring (Myles Heffernan Sr.), Roll Em (Marc Campbell), Nothing Bugs Me (Corey MacPherson) and Nuttin But Finesse (Mike Downey).
The three-year-old pacing colts will go postward in three $18,500 Gold divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes, beginning in race 5 with Barrieau-McIsaac champion One Wicked Man favoured from post 7 for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault over Evil Lou (MacPherson) and Moonfall (Brodie MacPhee).
Race 10 has Bentley installed as the 5-2 choice with Paul Langille in the bike for trainer John Clarey, while DJ Mustang (Marc Campbell) and Sergeant Crowley (Barrieau) will look to spoil.
Another sophomore colt division in race 13 sees Phil My Beer (Campbell) off the rail from the Landon Campbell stable against top rivals Malevolent (Langille) and Rosetown Eclipse (MacPherson).
The three-year-old pacing fillies will also battle in three $20,250 Gold divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes.
Race 2 has Lady Hess (MacPherson) as the 5-2 morning line favourite for trainer Jamie Smith against Lady Llamrei (Merner) and Elm Grove Talia (David Dowling).
Race 6 features Badgirl Bridgette (Hughes) as the favourite after winning her last five stakes appearances but tasting defeat against aged overnight mares in her latest for trainer William Lanigan. Top contenders include Windemere Classie (Langille) and Steady Heart (Marc Campbell).
In race 8, Mindbodyandsoul carries the 5-2 status for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Earl Watts, with Woodmere Betcha (Mike McGuigan), Tobins Dream (MacPherson) and Howmac Maleficent (Ken Murphy) looming the danger.
The Grassroots divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes will complement the Gold events throughout the card.
The three-year-old pacing fillies have Grassroots divisions for $10,125 in races 1 and 7. The three-year-old pacing colts will line up for Grassroots competition in races 3, 4, and 11.
The Atlantic Aged Pacing Mares Series, presented by Standardbred Canada, will highlight the seasoned distaffers with two $5,000 divisions in races 9 and 12. In race 9, Sugar Bowl is the 5-2 morning line favourite for driver Gilles Barrieau over Tobins Brownie (Adam Merner). The other split in race 12 has Avyanna (Barrieau) favoured over Rosetown Mary (MacPherson).
Fans can take in the spectacle live at the track or watch the Race Day broadcast at Redshores.ca. Wager from anywhere through HPIBET.com.
