By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The trotters will command the spotlight Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park with the P.E.I. Colt Stakes for rookies and sophomores.
The 14-dash presentation starts at 6 P.M. with the P.E.I. Colt Stakes on the line.
The two-year-old colt trotters open the stakes action in race 2 with a $13,500 division. West River Karuna is rated as the 5-2 favourite from post 2 with Ken MacDonald driving for trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley MacDonald. The son of Legion Of Honor has already tasted stakes success and will look to continue that momentum. Hoponarocket (To be driven by Michael McGuigan) leaves from post 3 after a pair of close finishes in recent weeks.
The fillies take over in race 5 with another $13,500 purse. Hallysgurl (Gilles Barrieau) is established as the morning line choice from post 8 with four wins and a second from five starts for trainer Darryl MacLean and owners Calvin Larkin and Erika Bradley. Her rivals include Roseys El Girl (Ken Murphy) and Bonmati (Corey MacPherson).
The race 7 $13,500 two-year-old colt trot has the second division, this one featuring Little Louis as the 5-2 favourite from post 2 with MacPherson driving for trainer Kuri White and owner East Coast Captains. The EL Rocket gelding has been a model of consistency in the Atlantic stakes program with five straight wins. Big Rig (McGuigan) gets post 4 while Mr Old Home Week (Ryan Desroche) has post 5 and looks to rebound this start.
The three-year-old trot colts will square off in race 9 for a $19,100 purse. Bless Me Father (Marc Campbell) has the rail and is a perfect six-for-six this season for owner-trainer Donna Van Meer. The Father Patrick gelding takes on five opponents including My Pocket Rocket (Murphy) and West River Jet (Ken MacDonald).
The three-year-old filly trotters go postward in race 11 with another $19,100 division. Supreme Rockette is the one to beat with Barrieau driving from post 3 for trainer McGuigan and owner Jamie Whalen of Avolndale. Dusty Lane Kahlua (Desroche) has post 5 after five straight on-the-board finishes, while Oceanview Nikki (McGuigan) looks for her fourth straight from post 1.
The Town of Stratford 30th Anniversary Pace lines up in race 6 with a $3,500 purse for overnight mares.
For the Race Day broadcast, complete programs and more, go to Redshores.ca and wager online through HPIBET.com.
