Half Cut ties track record
Son of Stonebridge Terror now sets sights on Island Breeder’s final at CDP
The Holland College Hurricanes men’s football team will look to advance to the Atlantic Football League championship game when the squad square off against the Dalhousie Tigers in semifinal action Saturday in Charlottetown.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place.
The ‘Canes enjoyed last week’s victory against the Tigers, but had trouble gaining momentum in the first quarter. The forfeiture of the game the previous week by the Saint John Seawolves made it tough for the offence to get a rhythm back. Holland College took too many penalties that cost yardage and two major scores.
The Hurricanes won, but the team will have to clean up its game if it wants to advance said head coach Ross Young said.
“This team is special. We have a lot of assets in our offence who can find a way to get it done. After adjustments, our defence performed well and we were very happy about that,” said Young.
The Dalhousie Tigers are an explosive team with strong receivers and running backs. The fact the two teams, which are evenly matched, are seeing each other in back-to-back games makes preparation more challenging. Each team is wondering what new look the other is going to bring, but there are not a lot of adjustments the ‘Canes can make.
“It’s a battle of who can have the best week of practice. The winner of the semifinal game will be the team who can execute on Saturday,” said Young. “Now it’s up to the players to execute and get this done. It’s always a great day in Charlottetown when Dalhousie comes to play.”
All minor football players from P.E.I. are invited to the game and encouraged to wear their team jersey.
The playoff game will feature the fan favourite tailgate food prepared by The Culinary Institute of Canada, a 50-50 draw, college mascot Samuel and his mini ‘Canes, and an ppearance by the Thrill the Island flash mob, who will be performing at halftime and collecting monetary donations for the Upper Room food bank.
The Maritime Breeder’s finals for two-year-old pacers took center stage Sunday at the Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia and Island bred horses swept the winner’s circle.
Half Cut tied the Truro Raceway track record while winning the $23,500 Maritime Breeder’s two-year-old pacing colt final in line to Mark Bradley in 1:57.
Tangled Mind was second for driver Gilles Barrieau with third going to Woodmere Ideal Art (Jason Hughes). The mile time equalled the two-year-old track record also held by Elm Grove Buddy from 2006 and PH Super Dave in 2005.
Tom Weatherbie trains Half Cut for owners Kyle Gardiner and Michael Currie of Cardigan, Joseph Gardiner of Mount Stewart and Jerry MacKinnon of St. Peter’s Bay. The champion pacer was foaled in Savage Harbour for breeder Betty Gardiner.
It was the third track record performance for the son of Stonebridge Terror this season as he now sets his sights on the Island Breeder’s final on Saturday at the Charlottetown Driving Park as the final leg of the Atlantic Triple Crown for his division.
The $23,500 Maritime Breeder’s final for two-year-old filly pacers went to Royaltywestho in a 1:58.4 performance for driver Walter Cheverie and Nova Scotia owners Joseph Baxter and Gregory Francis. The daughter of Westwardho Hanover was bred by Gary MacPherson of North Wiltshire. The championship final saw Tobins Terror (Gary Chappell) finish second with Woodmere Ceilidh (Clare MacDonald) third.
P.E.I. Scene
My condolences to the Campbell-MacDonald family on the passing of Shawn Campbell this week. Campbell is the brother of leading P.E.I. trainerdriver Marc Campbell.
Across The Continent
Maritime champion Elektra Express made her U.S. debut Monday at Yonkers Raceway. The daughter of Western Paradise finished fourth pacing in 1:54.3 in her $27,000 class with Kingston native Mark MacDonald in the bike for new trainer Rene Allard of Pennsylvania, who is part of the U.S. group who purchased the filly from
former owner Danica Ellis of Nova Scotia. Elektra Express was trained in Charlottetown by Marc Campbell during her two- and three-year-old campaigns.
MacDonald has some high powered drives this weekend in Indiana as the Island native will compete in the North American Breeder’s Crown finals. MacDonald will drive Pure Country in the $250,000 Aged Pacing Mare Breeder’s Crown Friday slated as Race 12 at Hoosier Park for trainer Jimmy Takter. Saturday night, MacDonald drives Keystone Tenacious in the Race 9 $600,000 two-year-old pacing colts Breeder’s Crown final for trainer Paul Kelley. He will also drive Blood Line Saturday at Hoosier in the $527,500 threeyear-old pacing colts Breeder’s Crown as Race 11 for trainer Takter.
Tuesday at Western Fair Raceway in London, Ont., Montana Ben was a 1:57.1 winner in a $12,500 claiming class for a $5,400 purse for owner Mike Ramsay of Summerside and new trainer Kyle Fellows.
Wednesday at Flamboro Downs in Dundas, Ont., E L Dartsmyboy won a $12,500 claiming class for a $6,500 purse for trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Brent MacLennan of Charlottetown.