FIDDLER'S FACTS: It's a star-studded field in Gold Cup and Saucer in P.E.I.
Post position plays a major role in any major harness race contested over a half-mile track.
But add a trailing horse to a deep and talented nine-horse field with heavy-favoured Covered Bridge saddled with the back tier, and suddenly the 64th running of the Gold Cup and Saucer becomes a race where almost anyone has a chance.
Covered Bridge has banked $375,000 already this year and has a 1:49:4 win over a half-mile track in Yonkers, N.Y., having beaten many of North America’s best like Tattoo Artist, Hellabalou and This Is The Plan, so he’s the betting favourite.
Add that regular pilot Jordan Stratton is here from New York to drive the Mark Ford-owned and Jeff Gillis-trained pacer, and that’s reason enough for this handicapper to send Covered Bridge away at 2-1 odds. That means if you wager $2 dollars on the nose, you get back $6 if he wins.
It's the best Gold Cup and Saucer field ever, so let’s take a closer look from the rail out.
1. P L Ozzy has won seven of his last nine, sports a new record of 1:48:3 and is razor sharp. Jody Jamieson drives for owners Jody Sanderson, Darren Smith, Mike McKenna of Cornwall and Shaun MacIsaac of Charlottetown. Danny MacDonald, whose dad, Paul, and uncle, Mike, loved the Gold Cup and Saucer, is the trainer. With the right trip and racing luck, he can win. I list him in the 6-1 range, factoring in the sentimental angle.
2. Lawless Shadow is not the great horse he was at two and three when he won The Meadowlands Pace at three before suffering a serious injury. Nevertheless, he is racing great for driver Tyler Moore and trainer Ian Moore. He won in 1:48:4 at Mohawk this year for the same ownership and trainer-driver group that prevailed with Eighteen about a decade ago. He should be a nice ticket at 12-1.
3. American History has beaten Mohawk’s top class this year in 1:48:2, has banked $1.6 million lifetime and is now owned by Fredericton’s Pat Hill. MacKenzie Spence trains for her husband, Dale Spence, and with a trip and racing luck could get the job done. He’s 10-1 or higher.
4. Twin B Tuffenuff has been rounding into top form, no worse than third in his last seven starts with a sharp 1:51 and change win in Charlottetown. Ron Matheson trains for owner Pat Morris and the ‘Magic Man’ Gilles Barrieau handles the reins. This is a dark horse that can win with some racing luck. He’s 8-1 in my books.
5. Funatthebeach N is another who does his best work on the half-mile tracks; this year in 1:50:1 with $165,000 banked mostly at Yonkers. Ford owns, Sydney’s Gillis trains and Scott Young gets the driving assignment. At the windows, 6-1.
6. Bee Two Bee carries Don MacRae and Blair MacLauchlan’s hopes, and it’s great to see so many P.E.I. owners advance to the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer. Bee Two Bee has won at 1:49 and change at Pocono and 1:50 and a piece at Yonkers and has tangled with the best at Yonkers. Trainer-driver Jason Hughes looks for his first Gold Cup win. The horse is sharp now, and the MacRae-Hughes Stable has been on fire for the last six weeks. A magical trip and the little Hughes boys could be joining their dad in the Cup and Saucer winner’s circle. I list him at 8-1.
7. Roll Em was just beaten by a nose in one of the trials by Funatthebeach in 1:51. The P.E.I. ownership group of Brady Doyle, Jacinta and Brent Campbell, Kent and Bernie MacDonald, Ryan MacLeod and the Savage stable of Stratford wanted a Gold Cup and Saucer horse. They must be pleased with this purchase. Roll Em is the best locally-based horse in the region, has their hopes on Atlantic Canada’s top trainer and driver in Marc Campbell, so what’s not to like. This post position may not be all that bad for Roll Em simply because he is a hunter – a closer from off the pace. A wicked pace up front, and this horse could come and get all the pieces. Can happen… odds 9-2.
8. Major Hill, trained by Colin Johnson and Quebec-owned, was third in Trial 3 –timed in 1:52:2. A terrible post position in a deep, talented field, all on the inside. This would be an upset of titanic proportions. He may be satisfied with getting to the big show.
Enjoy the big stage… and let’s hope for a great race and a safe journey for all.
Visitors
– There are a great number of visitors from all over the country for Old Home Week, including some of the big names from Mohawk. James MacDonald and Louie-Philippe Roy both left very early Aug. 19 for afternoon stake racing at Pocono before back to Mohawk for night racing.
– Greg Blanchard, who does an outstanding job at hosting the Hambletonian and major events for COSA television as well as The Meadowlands, is here.
– Robbie Rice and family are here from British Columbia. Calgary horse owner George Rogers and Cathy are part of the west contingent, along with colourful owner Don Don MacNeil.
– Charlie Price and Larry Damon are part of a Saint John group, Ozzie MacKay, Trevor Frizzell and his brother from Moncton, as well as Atlantic Post Calls writer Grady Hachey from Fredericton.
– Cape Breton is well represented with Post Calls writer Shane Ryan, who calls races at North Sydney, Phonsie MacEachern, Joey Garabb and Anthony Beaton among others.
– Jean and Bob Skinner, Tammy MacKay are here from Truro.
– Longtime friends Halifax Casino CEO Chris Roberts and J P Daigle are big OHW supporters.
– Wally Hennessey and Jody Jamieson starred in Rabs MacDonald’s 25th Old Home Week party on Aug. 17 with a jingle or two.
– Two of Canada’s top trainers, Carl Jamieson and Ian Moore, with his able assistant, wife Nancy, are here. Late arrivals include Johnny and Mark MacKinnon, as well as popular trainer Tesha Symes.
– The Premier’s luncheon Aug. 15 attracted a full house at Red Shores. Premier King unveiled a huge financial increase in purse pools, which is great news for a growing and significant P.E.I. harness racing industry. It will have a huge positive impact on the 2023 Crapaud October Yearling sale.
