Rose Run Quest on top of his game
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – There is no question Rose Run Quest (If I Can Dream) is on top of his game as he seeks his fourth straight harness racing victory Saturday (Aug. 26) evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The city track has 15-dashes set for a 6 P.M. post time on Saturday with the $3,300 top event lining up in race 13. Racing officials are tracking a weather system moving into PEI and will provide an update by 1pm Saturday.
Rose Run Quest is the morning line favourite in the dash from post 2 for owners Blair and Carl Hansen and Isaac Schurman after winning his last three races in 1:54.1, 1:53 and 1:53.4. Trainer Melissa Rennie is coming off a record Old Home Week as she secured the Earl Smith Memorial Award for top trainer of the week. Corey MacPherson, an 85-time winner so far in 2023, will drive the 11-year-old.
Charlottetown native David O’Brien is back on the Island after over a decade of racing in Ontario and will drive his new trainee Moonwriter from post 4 for owner Debbie Element of Village Green. O’Brien picks up the training duties from a relocating Colin Johnson.
The Tom Weatherbie stables packs a hard punch in the dash as Fern Hill General has post 5 with Jason Hughes getting the catch driving call behind the 13-time winner. Stablemate Island Beach Boy (To be driven by Gilles Barrieau) leaves from post 6. Also in the field are Tradition (Gordie Hennessey), Hippyjohn (Kenny Arsenault) and First Glance (David Dowling).
The Post Time Picks give their respect to Rose Run Quest.
“Rose Run Quest showed his back class on Saturday night winning by four lengths and closing out in a brisk 27.4. Lines up in a prime-time post and Corey will be gunning so he could hit a Red Shores grand slam.”
Race 8 is the Omer Caissie Memorial with Century Invictus the favourite from post 1 for trainer-driver Hughes and owner John Collings of Brudenell. The Bettors Delight four-year-old is a four-time winner in 2023 including a 1:54.2 victory.
Chip Of Evil tries to remain perfect
SUMMERSIDE, PE – With some fresh competition lining up behind the gate with her, Chip Of Evil will try to remain perfect in Lady Slipper stakes action Sunday (Aug. 27) afternoon at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The Prince County oval has a terrific stakes laden card with 13-dashes getting underway at 1 P.M.
Chip Of Evil gets top billing in her $21,100 Lady Slipper Gold division for two-year-old pacing filles in race 12. Corey MacPherson steers the Atlantic Sired daughter of Arthur Blue Chip for trainer Eddy Doucette and owner Inarush Stable of Kensington after the filly was an open-length winner in 1:56.1 her last start.
Roll With Joe filly Avyanna (To be driven by Clare MacDonald) has post 2 after a second place finish her last start while rallying to be race timed in 1:56.2 at Red Shores Charlottetown. Showdown, a Betting Line half-sister to Atlantic Champion stallion Malicious, gets post 5 with David Dowling in tow after winning her last two starts including a 1:56.2 trip in Charlottetown.
The Backstretch Beat likes Chip Of Evil to win again in the field of seven.
“Chip Of Evil has yet to be bested in her career but will have her toughest test to date against some very speedy fillies sired out of jurisdiction. An easy winner in her latest and looked to have more in the tank and may need it today.”
The other $21,100 Lady Slipper Gold division has Miss Wicked (MacPherson) as the top choice from post 3 for trainer Joe Baxter and owner Blaine Thibeau. Fern Hill Indigo (Brodie MacPhee) has been solid all season and has post 2 at 3-1 odds while Wednesday (Betterthancheddar) returns to P.E.I. after testing the waters in the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit. She has rail control with Myles Heffernan Sr., in the seat.
The two-year-old fillies also have Grassroots divisions for $10,550 in races 3, 5 and 8.
The afternoon card also features the Joe O’Brien Memorial Stake for two-year-old pacing colts in Gold and Grassroots action.
The undefeated Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil) puts his five-race streak to the test in a $18,550 O’Brien Gold division in race 7 for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. The colt faces off with four foes including Jackies Boy (Heffernan) and Little Leroy (MacPherson).
Race 4 is another $18,550 O’Brien Gold division with Merigo Magic (Adam Merner) selected on top from post 4 for owners Mike May, Herman McQuaid, Derrick Cameron and Ian Walker. Other top selections include Tobins Barn Party (Hughes) and Dunsan Harry (MacPherson).
Race 9 of the day is a leg of the Island Oceans Trot Mares Series, presented by Burkie By The Bay Stables.
by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores
