The best around on card
Top Maritimebred trotters are scheduled to meet at CDP
Three of the greatest Maritimebred trotters of all time will face off on Tuesday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park as Old Home Week harness racing continues.
The 12-dash card has a 7 p.m. post time and is the lone program of the day.
The Atlantic Sires Stakes for two- and three-year-old trotters, sponsored by Meridian Farms and the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association, highlight the card with a muchanticipated matchup in Race 8.
Race 8 is an Atlantic Sires Stakes’ three-year-old trot division that will feature the fastest Maritime-bred trotter ever on the East Coast racing against last year’s Maritime Triple Crown winner as well as the fastest trotter in the history of the Atlantic Sires Stakes.
The first of that trio in the $6,120 division is Post 1 starter Gettin Messi, who became the quickest Maritime-bred trotter ever on the eastern seaboard when he won in 1:58.3 in June at the capital oval for driver Mike McGuigan, trainer Len McGuigan and owner Jamie Whalen of Avondale.
The son of Armbro Barrister had five straight wins at the start of the year, but made a break in his latest outing, also starting from the rail that day.
Ya Boy Bear has Post 2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Michael Bailey of Morell.
The Delcrest Julian trotter set an Atlantic Sires Stakes’ record on July 16 at Truro Raceway with a 1:59 win that day at the Nova Scotia oval.
Mile Hill Willie was the undisputed champion last year as he cleaned up in all the major events.
He has yet to miss the top three this year, but just found his first stakes’ win of 2019 in his latest start as he defeated Ya Boy Bear on that day.
Gilles Barrieau handles the driving duties of Mile Hill Willie for owner-trainer Paul Morrison of Cardigan.
Also in the field is Ableway (driven by Steven Shepherd), Little Miss Winnie (Austin Sorrie) and Shadow Trainer (Gary Chappell).
The other Atlantic Sires Stakes’ three-year-old trot divisions are in Races 1 and 6.
Mabou Ridge has been perfect so far as a two-year-old and has rail control in his twoyear-old sires stakes’ division, the lone rookie stake of the day carrying another hefty $15,520 purse.
Clare MacDonald trains and drives the Armbro Barrister trotter who has won all three of his two-year-old assignments.
Also on the card is the Joe Smallwood Memorial Open Trot as well as the second leg of the Alpine $5,000 Claiming Series.