Three elimination divisions for Gold Cup & Saucer

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The harness racing Trials were drawn for the 65th edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, during the official press conference Tuesday morning at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The prestigious $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final will be held on Saturday August 17 with 25 horses entered in the Trials vying for the top nine spots.

The first two $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trials are set for Saturday during the 4 P.M. program scheduled at Red Shores Charlottetown.

The fastest horse in the history of New Brunswick harness racing, American History (American Ideal), has rail control in the first Trial for the husband-wife team of driver Dale Spence and trainer MacKenzie Spence. The Woodbine Mohawk Park Preferred pacer toured Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B., in 1:52 flat while winning the recently held Kelti Burnett Memorial for owner Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B.

The second $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trial has the return of defending champion Covered Bridge (American Ideal) from the Jeff Gillis stable. The Yonkers Raceway regular won the 2023 edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer in 1:50.3 in line to Jordan Stratton for owner Mark Ford of Campbell Hall, New York.

The third and final Gold Cup and Saucer Trial will be held Monday evening during the 6 P.M. card at Red Shores Charlottetown. Rocks Shining Star (Rockin Image) will leave from post 1 for trainer Jamie Smith and owner Thestable.ca. The 16-time winner has been racing the Open level across Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

The top three finishers from each Trial will advance to the $100,000 final, with the fourth through sixth place finishers going to the James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation on August 16. A second consolation race will be held for the seventh, eighth and ninth place finishers in the Trials.

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #1 – Saturday

Post – Horse – Sire – Trainer
1 – American History – (American Ideal) MacKenzie Spence
2 – Fern Hill General – (Malicious) Tom Weatherbie
3 – One Eight Hundred – (Somebeachsomewhere) Ellen Stevenson
4 – P L Ozzy – (Sunshine Beach) Darren Smith
5 – Save America – (Captaintreacherous) Jamie Smith
6 – Hes Sure Good – (Hes Watching) Noah Whebby
7 – Bayfield Beach – (Somebeachsomewhere) Victor Puddy
8 – Binge On Yankee – (Stay Hungry) Jeff Gillis
9 – Bee Two Bee – (Sunshine Beach) Ashley Gamester

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #2 – Saturday

Post – Horse – Sire – Trainer
1 – Blue Hunt – (Huntsville) Ashley Gamester
2 – Bounty Hunter – (Huntsville) Kenny Arsenault
3 – Fortify – (Sweet Lou) Chris MacKay
4 – Ilikemebettor A – (Bettors Belight) Mike McGuigan
5 – Saulsbrook Ian – (Betterthancheddar) Jamie Smith
6 – Covered Bridge – () Jeff Gillis
7 – Twin B Tuffenuff – (Rock N Roll Heaven) Ron Matheson
8 – Roll Em – (Time To Roll) Brent Campbell

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #3 – Monday

Post – Horse – Sire – Trainer
1 – Rocks Shining Star – (Rockin Image) Jamie Smith
2 – Island Beach Boy – (Somebeachsomewhere) Tom Weatherbie
3 – Heaven On High N – (Rock N Roll Heaven) Jamie Smith
4 – Bob Loblaw – (Sunshine Beach) Ken Middleton
5 – Southwind Sambucca – (American Ideal) Victor Puddy
6 – Smooth Lou – (Sweet Lou) Corey MacPherson
7 – High Voltage Deo – (Sweet Lou) Brendan Curran
8 – Larry Karr – (A Rocknroll Dance) Dean Nixon

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores