Lots of speed
Prince County’s most prestigious standardbred race goes tonight
The 49th edition of Governor’s Plate should not lack drama.
“I think it’s going to be quite a cavalry charge to that first turn,” said driver Marc Campbell. “It’s going to be a really good race for everybody to see.”
Following are the views of all eight drivers.
Forever Paradise
Adam
Merner has the coveted rail position in his first-ever Governor’s
Plate.
“We drew a good post, and have a nice horse to drive,” said Merner. “With a little luck, you never know.”
Forever Paradise finished third in the first elimination.
“He’s a super fast horse, he has a real good burst of speed and if we can save a little for the end of it, we could get a piece of the pie,” Merner said.
Do Over Hanover
Campbell and Do Over Hanover will look for a repeat performance from Post 2 after winning the second elimination in 1:52.1.
“He raced well,” Campbell said. “They told me he was lazy, and he was. He’ll be a little sharper and more used to the climate this week.”
Campbell is hoping to utilize a good post position.
“If we can sit three or four going to the quarter pole I will be pretty happy,” he added.
Allstar Seelster Veteran Norris Rogers returns to the Governor’s Plate with Allstar Seelster – the fourth-place finisher from the first elimination.
“I think he has a little bit left in him, and can go a little faster,” said Rogers. “I don’t know if he can go in 52 or something, but I think he can go in 53 and that may get the job done. You never know.”
Rogers, who has Post 3, says he will “have to leave out a little bit” at the start.
“There’s going to be some good speed,” said Rogers. “I’m hoping to be sitting close enough that I can get a good chunk of it.”
Junebugs Baby
Myles Heffernan said he feels Junebugs Baby “can step up a few notches.”
That is after he overcame a flat tire in the sulky just before the half-mile mark in the
second elimination.
“The flat tire tired him a bit as he was dragging dead weight,” said Heffernan. “He hung onto fourth. I expect him to be a little better this week, and
I’ll make sure my tires are pumped up.”
Invictus Hanover
Jason Hughes acknowledged it’s “hard to say” how things will unfold for him and Invictus Hanover.
“I think there’s going to be some good speed off the gate,” analyzed Hughes, who has Post 5. “I don’t know if he will get into a tussle off the gate, but
I should be able to get set up pretty good.”
Hughes was pleased with Invictus Hanover’s thirdplace finish in the second elimination.
“He got into some road traffic,” offered Hughes. “He’s the type of horse he likes to keep rolling along . . . he hasn’t been used hard yet, and I think he still has a little left in the tank. I like him.”
Good Friday Three
Kenny Arsenault and Good Friday Three leave from Post 6.
“I hope there’s some early speed so I can mop them up at the end,” said Arsenault. “There is so much inside speed, you can’t do anything else but take back.”
Good Friday Three had a strong place showing in the second elimination.
“He never quit, and was still charging at the wire,” said Arsenault. “If they get a fast half in front of him, it seems to me he’s a finisher, so anything can happen.”
Hot Deuce
Walter Cheverie faces the dreaded Post 7 after equalling Hot Deuce’s lifetime mark of 1:52.1 in winning the first elimination.
“You just see what happens when they say, ‘Go,’” said Cheverie. “It’s the same as every race, you take a look over when the gate comes around the turn and see what other horses are doing, and who has the whip up and who doesn’t.”
Cheverie acknowledged there “are a bunch” of horses that like to leave inside.
“I don’t want to get stung inside four deep on the first turn and then make front, because you are going to get beat,” explained Cheverie. “You are going extra distance, and you are going wide open to the quarter.”
Crombie A
Crombie A, the secondplace finisher for Campbell in the first elimination, will have to deal with the outside Post 8.
“It doesn’t matter, somebody has to leave from there,” said catch-driver Gary Chappell. “There is not much sense leaving hard with them fellas, but you never know what will happen inside either.
“You just see how it goes.”
“You just see what happens when they say, ‘Go.’ It’s the same as every race, you take a look over when the gate comes around the turn and see what other horses are doing, and who has the whip up and who doesn’t.” Walter Cheverie