Invictus Hanover Captures Red Shores feature

New Brunswick horse Ramblinglily hits career milestone

Canadian harness racing rang in 250 years of live racing on the weekend and Jason Hughes had lots to celebrate about Sunday afternoon Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

“The Blue Knight” had a driving triple on the program, including a preferred victory aboard Invictus Hanover in a down the road score of 1:55.2 for owners Foxyhall Racing of Wallace, N.S. Forever Paradise took a two-hole ride to finish second with Adam Merner at the lines while Perfect Escape (Gilles Barrieau) was third in the $2,400 race.

Hughes’ other winners came with Pictonian Spartan in 1:59.1 for trainer Danny MacDonald and aboard Libertys Choice from his own stable in 2:01.1.

Mike McGuigan kicked off the careers of a pair of promising youngsters from his own stable on the right note scoring maiden breaking victories for both. Two-year-old pacing filly R Es Shabla was a 2:02 winner for owner Lloyd Parsons of Carmanville, N.L., while two-yearold pacing colt Weekend At Nannies had a maiden breaking score of 2:00.4 for owner Glen Dunn of Summerville.

Barrieau scored two wins on the 12-dash program, winning with Jd Cyril in a maiden breaking score of 2:00.4 for trainer Kevin MacLean and Clic K in 1:57.4 for trainer Jackie Matheson.

Walter Cheverie also enjoyed a driving doubles on the program honouring a number of longtime dedicated individuals to Island racing. Cheverie’s first win came with The Big Bite in 1:57.3 for trainer Jackie Matheson, then came back later in the card to win the $2,250 Open Mares pace with Ramblinglily. Ramblinglily had win number 50 of her career for co-owner and trainer Allan Jones Riverview, N.B., and co-owner Normand Leger of Shediac, N.B. The career milestone for the sevenyear-old daughter of Articulator is made even more impressive by the fact her $156,204 in lifetime earnings were garnered while never leaving the Maritimes while composing a record of 83 top three finishes from just 93 career starts.

Live racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

JASON SIMMONDS/JOURNAL PIONEER Jason Hughes recorded five driving wins during the annual Canada Day harness racing card at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.