Keep Coming wins CDP feature
The coming season holds special significance for some P.E.I. speedskaters with the Canada Games only five months away.
The season begins later this month and several Islanders could lace up the skates for Team P.E.I. at the Games slated for Feb. 13-March 3 in Red Deer, Alta.
P.E.I. coach Sarah Taylor said the group has been training and preparing for months for the chance to represent the province.
“The time and dedication it takes to be competitive at this level is significant,” said Taylor, who’ll coach the short track contingent in Red Deer. “These young athletes are learning about commitment, discipline and time management, all of which will serve them well throughout their lives (and) not only in sport.”
In February, P.E.I. fields male and female short track and long track teams at the Games for the first time. P.E.I. has sent female and male short track squads to the Games since 1995, but it only
Dylan Blenkhorn picked up his third victory of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour season by winning the Lucas Oil 150 Saturday at Riverside International Speedway.
Blenkhorn made an epic lastlap pass on Donald Chisholm of Antigonish, N.S., who dominated most of the race, leading 116 of the 150 circuits. Greg Proude of Springvale tied his best finish of the season finishing third and entered male long track teams in 1995 and 2007. Carolyn Jarock is the long track coach.
For Andrew Jack, Speed Skate P.E.I. vice-president, the full slate of skaters in both disciplines shows real progress and opens the door to more. completing the podium.
Craig Slaunwhite of Terence Bay, N.S., and Dylan Gosbee of Cornwall rounded out the top five, respectively.
Other P.E.I. drivers included Darren MacKinnon of Charlottetown (sixth), Kent Vincent of Crapaud (seventh), Jonathan Hicken of Brudenell (11th), Robbie McEwen of Charlottetown (14th) and Allison McKinnon of Oyster Bed Bridge (18th).
“With the 2023 Canada Winter Games expected to be held on P.E.I., this chance to showcase long track as another opportunity for young P.E.I. skaters is exciting for us,” said Jack. “We think we’ve got a lot of potential for further growth in our sport here over
Chisholm earned the pole position after winning the first heat race. Rookie-of-the-year contender Waylon Farrell of Conception Bay South, N.L., and Proude also won Atlantic Tiltload heat races.
The tour will close out the season Saturday at Scotia Speedworld. The Dartmouth Dodge 200 will decide who takes home the championship and the $10,000 cheque. the next few years leading up to 2023.”
Speed Skate P.E.I. is taking registrations for its Charlottetown programs, including Learn to Skate and Learn to Speed Skate, at www.speedskatepei. com.
The MJS Holdings/Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour finished off its season at Riverside on Saturday.
Cody Byrne of Orwell Cove was on top of the podium, followed by Dave Matthews of Nine Mile River, N.S., and Matt Watson of Miscouche. Matthew Warren of Hatchet Lake, N.S., was crowned the 2018 champion.
Keep Coming teamed up with David Dowling to pose a mild upset in the Saturday night feature at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Race favourite Likely To Win was sent to the lead by driver Adam Merner in the $2,350 preferred 2 pace and laid down a 27.3 opener, before Keep Coming came calling at the half-mile marker. The half was tripped in 56.1, with Keep Coming taking control of the front for threequarters in 1:25.2 en route to stopping the clock in 1:55.4.
Second went to Rockin Indy (Corey MacPherson) while Machinthesand (Ken Murphy) completed the $727.10 triactor ticket.
Brian Andrew of Milton Station co-owns and trains Keep Coming for co-owner William Andrew of Calgary.
Driver Gilles Barrieau put together a driving grand slam on the 12-dash program, including a win in the $2,350 fillies and mares open pace with Sodwana Bay. Time of the mile was 1:56.3 as Sodwana Bay prevailed over Brodys Leona (MacPherson) and Ramblinglily (Murphy).
Sodwana Bay is trained by Barrieau for owners Wayne MacRae of Fall River, N.S., and Howmac Farms Ltd., of North Wiltshire.
Barrieau’s other victories were with State Of Play in 1:59.3 for trainer Tom Weatherbie of Charlottetown, and with Lincoln Seelster and Starcastic in identical miles of 1:59.2 — both for trainer Jackie Matheson of Stratford.