Champ defends title in 65th Gold Cup and Saucer

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Charging in the final quarter, Covered Bridge (American Ideal) demolished the harness racing field in the 65th edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final saw Larry Karr (Driven by Austin Sorrie) protect the rail through opening splits of 26.3 and 54 with post 8 starter Save America (Adam Merner) swinging first-over then clearing to the lead at the three-quarters of 1:22.1. Save America kicked clear past three-quarters but had no answer for Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) who was charging around the last turn to draw clear by three-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:50.4. Twin B Tuffenuff (Gilles Barrieau) emerged from the pack to finish second with Save America third.

Covered Bridge won his second straight Gold Cup and Saucer final for trainer Jeff Gillis and owner Mark Ford of New York.

The program also had Sugar Bowl (Sweet Lou, Barrieau) win the $15,000 Birthplace Of Confederation Series, in memory of Doug Hill, in 1:54.4 for trainer Ashley Gamester.

The $21,300 Joe O’Brien Gold divisions for three-year-old pacing colts saw victories by Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil, Jason Hughes) in 1:53.1 for trainer Gamester in his seventh straight as well as Jack Boswall (Marc Campbell) in the other division in 1:55.1 for trainer Keith MacDonnell.

The $7,500 Colonel Dan Open Trot was won by New Legacy (Father Patrick, Hughes) in 1:58 for trainer Jennifer Doyle. The race saw an accident at three-quarters when Jessiejesorjessica (David Dowling) made a break and knocked stablemate Glider Man (Myles Heffernan Sr) to the ground. Both horses went through the incident unscathed walking back to the barn under their own power. Heffernan and Dowling were cleared by paramedics with Dowling booking off the remainder of his drives and Heffernan driving the remainder of the program.

The $8,500 Premier’s Pace had American Risk (Stratton) deadheat for win with Blood Money (Barrieau) in 1:53.

Trainers Gamester, Ron Matheson and Tom Weatherbie had training doubles.

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside.

For complete afternoon card race results, click here.

For complete night card race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores