Setting the pace
Eagle Jolt the horse to beat at CDP
The final card of the live harness racing season is scheduled for today at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Eagle Jolt is listed as the morning-line favourite (5-2 odds) in the Deep Freeze Bounty Poker Tournament Pace with the afternoon backup class being called to the starting gate at 3:30 p.m.
The pacer, owned by Wilbur and Marie MacDonald, Orwell Cove, gave Marc Campbell his 1,500th career winner last week.
Campbell will send him from Post 4 and should expect pressure from Smiley Bayama (Ron Gass), who was runner-up in his last start in a snazzy 1:57.4.
Likely To Win (Ken Murphy), Painted Desert (Corey MacPherson) and Oh To Be Me (Gary Chappell) complete the roster.
Best Risque goes after her sixth score in a row when she competes in the feature event open mares handicap in Race 10.
The daughter of CammibestRisque Business will be handled by Charlottetown’s leading driver, Corey MacPherson, for trainer Brian Ladner and his coowners Lillian and Kevin Ladner, Charlottetown.
The mare remains perfect in 2016 with four wins after posting 11 victories from 45 starts in 2015. Another first-place finish will put her at 50 lifetime victories.
It’s official. Driver Walter Cheverie is the 2015 trot challenge champion.
The veteran driver, who celebrated 2,500 career wins in the fall, ended the season with 329 points. Kenny Arsenault (252) was second while Brian MacPhee (183) finished third.
The points were awarded on a 10-7-5 basis for a 1-2-3 finish with trotters at Red Shores. Johnston’s Salads and Keybrand Foods Inc. present a dollar per point to the top driver.
It’s last call to purchase tickets on a Gold Cup & Saucer and Governor’s Plate prize package in the Classy Lane barn fire fundraiser.
Tickets are $10 and available at the rewards club in Charlottetown. The grand prize draw will be made today after Race 10.
Live racing resumes at the CDP in April.