Rose Run Quest overpowers foes
A late break in stride by Czar Seelster sealed the deal for Rose Run Quest in Sunday’s feature race at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 13-dash program was originally scheduled for Saturday, but impending weather moved the program to Sunday this week.
Czar Seelster powered to the front in the $2,400 preferred pace being released by pacesetter Driving thed ragon N at the 28.1 opening quarter. Driver Todd Weatherbee and Czar Seelster continued the brisk tempo with fractions of 58.3 and 1:28.4 with race favourite Rose Run Quest (Marc Campbell) moving up from last place in the compact field of five.
Rose Run Quest challenged Czar Seelster neck-and-neck in the final quarter then a break in stride just before the wire by Czar Seelster handed the victory to Campbell and Rose Run Quest in 1:58.4. Czar Seelster finished second with Woggy Rocks (Gary Chappell) third.
Campbell trains Rose Run Quest for owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. It was one of three wins by the King of Island racing as a trainer and as a driver. Campbell also visited the winner’s circle with Did u see that in 2:01.3 from his own barn and teamed up with the Jeff Lilley-trained Bettim Vicky to win Race 5 in 2:04.4. The other Campbell-trained occurred when Adam Merner and Jetster stopped the clock in 2:00.2 in Race 11. Driver Ken Murphy had three winners on the opening program of 2018, including My Lucky Killean in 2:00.1 for trainer and father Clifford Murphy of Brackley, Cougar Gal in 2:03.3 for trainer Drew Neill of Winsloe and Alberta Sky in 2:00.2 for trainer Eric Doucette of South Rustico. Merner also had a driving double on the program. The results from the 2017 trainer-driver challenge were announced with Campbell garnering the top prize of $2,000. Jason Hughes was second in the annual challenge for a $1,500 payday, while $1,000 went to Kenny Arsenault in third place and Gary Chappell received $500 for finishing fourth.
The trainer-driver challenge was formed to honour the dedication, time and talent of trainer-drivers in the Island harness racing industry. Live racing continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Charlottetown.