By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Miki Shan N fulfilled all of Vernon River, P.E.I., native Corey MacPherson’s childhood dreams Saturday night as he prevailed in Gold Cup and Saucer 66 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final had the Chris MacKay trained Miki Shan N landed on top over Poseidon Seelster (Driven by Bob McClure) and Bee Two Bee (Jason Hughes) in 1:51.2 for winning owners Kap Singh Racing Stable of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Stephen Klunowski of North York, Ont., Earl Hill Jr. of Ohsweken, Ont., and Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. The 3-8-5 triactor paid $1,048.50 while the Super High-5, containing fourth place Legion Seelster (David Dowling) and Arbitrage Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.) in fifth, cashed out at $7,829.38 for a 20-cent ticket. Total wager on the night was $607,623.
“When the wings folded, I guess it was just like any other Gold Cup and Saucer: there was a lot of guys heading to the front,” a jubilant MacPherson said in the winner’s circle. “I thought my best shot was to see if I could let them settle in and take my shot coming early.”
When the wings folded at the start in the prestigious East Coast classic, post time favourite Its Major Major A (Marc Campbell) was first to strike the lead with Miki Shan N getting away sixth and moving second over behind a parked out post 8 starting Poseidon Seelster at the quarter of 27 flat.
“He’s a tough horse,” the 36-year-old MacPherson said in the winner’s circle. “He can take some air. And it worked out. But I when I looked and saw Poseidon Seelster parked out, I said ‘this is my shot.’ So I followed him and it worked.”
The half was reached in 55 seconds with the parked Poseidon Seelster clearing to the front at the three-quarter poled marker of 1:24.1. Poseidon Seelster and Miki Shan N battled the final quarter with the New Zealand bred pacer winning by a length in 1:51.2.
“Around the last turn, everything was silent,” said MacPherson, who was making his third lifetime start in the Gold Cup and Saucer. “But just at the wire, when I put my hand in the air, the place went crazy. Just have the shot to be in as, let alone have a shot to win it. It’s a dream come true. It’s amazing.”
Miki Shan N ($4.50) conquered both signature events on P.E.I., winning the Governor’s Plate at Red Shores Summerside in July then the Gold Cup and Saucer, for his seventh straight win since coming to Atlantic Canada. He is the first horse to win both signature races in the same year since YS Lotus in 2016.
On the undercard, The Joe O’Brien Memorial Gold divisions for three-year-old pacing colts had Phil My Beer ($3.40) in the Clifford Affleck Memorial for $28,200 in race 10 with a front-end score in 1:54.3 for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Landon Campbell over Rosetown Eclipse (Corey MacPherson) and One Wicked Man (Kenny Arsenault).
The other $28,200 Gold division in race 13 saw Malevolent ($2.10) assert his dominance yet again with a powerful 1:54 performance for trainer-driver Paul Langille. Bentley (Campbell) was second with Woodmere Rocketman (Gilles Barrieau) completing the triactor.
The Birthplace Of Confederation Series Final, in honour of Harris Johnston, for $17,500 in race 14 went to the red-hot Avyanna ($2.40) as she extended her win streak to four with a 1:54.2 victory for trainer Bo Ford and driver Gilles Barrieau.
The Premier’s Pace carried a $9,000 purse in race 12 and produced a mild upset as Sonny Black ($14.20) prevailed in 1:55 for trainer Trevor Hicken and driver Myles Heffernan Sr., over Impeccable Shadow (Langille) and House Edge Hanover (Barrieau).
The Colonel Dan Trot for $7,500 in race 6 had Buckhead Ridge ($2.80) win in 1:56.4 for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Landon Campbell. That trainer-driver duo also captured the Birthplace Of Confederation Consolation for $8,500 in race 5 with Get Answers ($3.30) winning in 1:55.1.
The Miriam Simmons Memorial in race 1 saw rookie Disko Bay ($4.30) earn his maiden victory in 1:58 for trainer-driver Langille.
The Kiwanis George Kays Memorial in race 2 was a Cape Breton celebration as Dam Lucky ($34.70) upset for trainer-driver Ambrose Gillis in a 1:58.2 trip.
The Chris MacPherson Memorial had Delightful Wine ($8.00) on top in 1:58 for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Madison Poirier.
Driver Noah Whebby scored a Gold Cup and Saucer night victory as the rookie reinsman drove Like A Glove ($4.10) to a 1:54.3 triumph in The Papermaker pace in race 4 for trainer Marc Whebby.
A Deals A Deal ($5.90) was the best in the David MacPhail Memorial in race 7 with top North American driver Brett Beckwith in the race bike for the 1:56.1 mile for trainer Charles Gaudreault.
The Mayor’s Pace in race 8 was won by Well Did ($20.30) in a 1:57.3 mile for the 14-year-old pacer and trainer-driver Langille.
The My Biggest Fan Foundation Pace in race 9 had the George Rennison trained Going Yard ($3.20) placed first in a 1:56 trip with Marc Campbell in the seat.
Thinkingofeddie ($14.40) won the Minister Of Finance Pace with a 1:56.4 victory for trainer-driver Brady Sweet.
Marc Campbell, who scored five wins on the night, captured his fifth straight Francis McIsaac Memorial trophy for top driver of Old Home Week, as well as the Chucker’s Trophies top percentage driver of Old Home Week. The Earl Smith Memorial Award for leading trainer of Old Home Week went to Jennifer Doyle.
Live racing continues on Prince Edward Island Tuesday evening at 6 P.M., at Red Shores Summerside.
For more go to Redshores.ca.
