Hughes steals Canada Day show in Summerside

Veteran driver records five victories

Jason Hughes was the star of the show on Canada Day’s annual harness racing card at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.

Hughes won five races on the 13-dash card on Saturday afternoon to push himself to second place amongst reinsmen at the Prince County oval.

Nicknamed “The Blue Knight,” Hughes’s victories included a mild upset in the $2,200 Canada Day Pace feature with Narragansett in 1:56.1. The Hughes-trained and driven pacer scored a one-length victory over race favourite Eagle Jolt (Driven by Marc Campbell), with Windemere Rene (Gary Chappell) third.

Foxyhall Racing of Wallace, N.S., owns Narragansett.

Top trot

Hughes captured the top trot on the day, winning the $1,600 race, with I Aint No Lady in 2:00.1 for trainer Garth Cole and owner Sandra Cole of Kensington.

Hughes also scored a 1:56 victory with Governor’s Plate hopeful Good Friday Three for trainer Wade Sorrie; a 1:58.4 winner’s circle visit with Rising Fella for trainer Jansen Sweet, and a new lifetime mark of 1:56.3 for Alan MacDonaldtrainee Old Buck.

Driver Marc Campbell had a pair of wins on the program as he continues to lead the driving standings. Following Saturday’s card, Campbell has 17 wins while second-place Hughes sits at 10.

Campbell recorded a pair of new lifetime marks for both Maritime-bred pacers as Doncallme Dude won in 1:57.3 for trainer Michael MacDonald of Orwell, and Johnny Moe was a 1:56.3 victor from Campbell’s own barn.

The Canada Day card also featured each race named in appreciation for over 20 individuals that have shown continuous dedication to Island harness racing.

The total wager was $28,725.

Governor’s Plate Week

Live racing continues at Red Shores Summerside on Sunday, July 9, as Governor’s Plate Week racing gets underway. The Governor’s Plate invitational eliminations, along with the Lobster Carnival mares eliminations, will highlight the matinee card.