Merigo Magic starts season with Preferred win

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Merigo Magic (Tobago Cays) made his four-year-old debut a winning one for trainer-driver Adam Merner in the Saturday afternoon harness racing feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The $4,600 Preferred had Tony Too Tall (Driven by Myles Heffernan Sr.) bounce to the early lead from post 2 then released morning line favourite Blood Money (Marc Campbell) at the 28.2 opening quarter. The half was reached in 57.1 before post time favourite Tobins Chester (Jason Hughes) came first-over past the five-eighths with Merigo Magic on his back. Tobins Chester made a break in stride before the three-quarters of 1:27 with Merigo Magic going to his inside to sit third then pounce in the stretch drive for a 1:55.2 victory at 8-1 odds with Tony Too Tall second and Blood Money third.

Mike May co-owns the winning son of Tobago Cays with Herman Mcquaid, Derrick Cameron and Ian Walker.

Merner also scored driving wins with Run For The Money (1:58.4) at 2-1 final odds for trainer Chris MacKay and Shadows Terror (1:56.4) at 7-5 odds for trainer Lenny Myers.

Marc Campbell also had a driving triple as he celebrated with St Charlesfireball (1:58.2) at 2-5 odds for trainer Vaughan Doyle, Proudofyatoday (1:59.4) for Keith Ford at 2-1 and Time To Dance (1:56.2) at 3-5 odds for trainer Brent Campbell.

O’Brien Award finalist Brady Sweet scored a pair of victories in the race bike for trainer Jeff Holmes steering Miramichi Alanna (2:01.1) to victory at 2-1 and Imalookertoo (1:58) at 10-1.

Elm Grove Mistress (1:59) won her ninth straight at 4-5 odds in race 4 for driver Hughes and owner-trainer Jennifer Doyle.

Live racing continues Jan. 25 for the final program of the Winter Meet at Red Shores Charlottetown. For more go to Redshores.ca.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores