Campbell triple takes MacDonald Memorial Driving Challenge

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Marc Campbell tripled up to capture the annual Paul MacDonald Memorial Driving Challenge during Horse Person’s Day, presented by the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owner’s Association, on a rescheduled Sunday afternoon harness racing card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Originally slated for Saturday, the 13-dash card was held on Sunday afternoon with Marc Campbell winning three races to garner 64 points and win the MacDonald Memorial trophy for the second straight year. David Dowling was second with 57 points while Gilles Barrieau was third with 54 points in the eight-race competition. Brady Sweet rounded out the top four with 51 points followed by fifth-place Corey MacPherson (48 points), sixth-place Adam Merner (45 points), seventh-place Jason Hughes (39 points) and eighth-place Steven Shepherd (37 points).

The competition saw Barrieau sprint to the early lead winning Leg 1 with Blue Monk (2:00.2) for trainer Jay Noye, followed by a victory in Leg 2 with Joe King (2:02.3) from the Kyle Wilkie stable. David Dowling notched a win in Leg 3 with his own Unbridled Fury (2:00.2) then Campbell came from last with Sharky (2:00.3) to win in Leg 4 for John McGuirk. Dowling scored again as a trainer-driver in leg 5 with Two Points (1:59.4) in a front-end mission then Campbell cruised home with Macho Phil (1:59.2) for trainer Landon Campbell in Leg 6.

Woodmere Heather M (2:00) put driver Corey MacPherson in the winner’s circle in the challenge as the Jennifer Doyle trainee won her 17th race of the season in Leg 7. The final leg had Campbell coming back for more with Tradition (1:58.2) rallying up to win for trainer Gordie Hennessey.

Campbell also won an overnight dash with Rockin Novel (2:02) for trainer Roy Reynolds for win number four of the day.

New Legacy prevailed in the top trot of the day for a $3,300 purse in 2:01.2 for trainer Doyle, driver Dowling and owner Danny Birt. Curadh (Driven by Ryan Desroche) was second best ahead of Whole Nother (Merner).

Live racing continues Monday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores