Prettyndangerous headlines top mares
Open trotters clash on Thursday card
The action heats up in the open pacing mares ranks at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Thursday.
The 10-dash program kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with the top pacing mares lining up in the evening finale. Prettyndangerous is the early favourite in the $2,350 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, with Adam Merner in the bike from Post 2 for trainer and co-owner Bo Ford along with co-owner Arnold Myers of Charlottetown.
The eight-year-old daughter of Armbro Deuce has yet to race during the summer meet on Prince Edward Island, but has put together a pair of impressive qualifiers in preparation for her East Coast season. West River Ambyr was the winner in this class last week, and retains the services of driver Steven Shepherd from Post 3. The Gary Chappelldriven Ramblinglily has Post 4 after winning her first start of the season in a lower class. Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees advantages with Post 2 for Prettyndangerous after her 1:57.3 qualifying trip. “Prettyndangerous turned in a nice qualifier a couple of weeks ago, then came back with one two seconds faster last week,” MacIsaac said. “In all likelihood she’ll be just as good, if not better (Thursday), and, if so, there could be nothing to stand in her way.”
Other fillies and mares’ open entrants include Collective Wisdom (driven by Gilles Barrieau), Julep Hanover (Wade Myers), Best Risque (Corey MacPherson) and Shadows Mystery (Dale Spence).
The top trotters on the Eastern seaboard line up in Race 7 for the $1,800 open trot. Osprey Impact was spectacular last season racing in New England, and returns to Island racing for owner-trainer Paul Larrabee of Belle River. Walter Cheverie gets the catch-driving call. Rosberg makes his East Coast debut with rail control in the top trot for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owner Jennifer Doyle of Vernon Bridge. The four-year-old son of Manyofmanymissions has four lifetime wins, including a trip in 1:58 over the half-mile oval at Flamboro Downs in Ontario.
Freddie fell short in his first start of the season as the heavy favourite, but has a chance for redemption from Post 5 in the open trot for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. Last week’s open winner, Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault), has Post 4 while Holy Molie Maggie (MacPherson) leaves from Post 2. Race 8 is the Newcap Radio Pace for a $1,300 purse. Swingirl is the favourite, but is faced with the outside Post 6 for driver Corey MacPherson and owner Red Island Horseowner’s Club of Stratford.
Rookie driver Drew Neill continues her quest for his first lifetime driving win in Race 4 after showing his driving talent in his first five pari-mutuel trips behind the gate.
The 18-year-old Winsloe resident will drive former freefor-all pacer All Turain as the morning-line favourite from Post 4 for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Lee Hicken of Charlottetown.