Million in purses for Campbell

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The Home Hardware Maritime Breeders took centre stage Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park and harness racing driver Marc Campbell made Atlantic Harness Racing History.

The first race of the night had 40-year-old Orwell native Marc Campbell become the first driver to ever hit $1 million in purse earnings by horses he has driven in a single season in Atlantic Canadian Harness Racing. The feat was accomplished as Couldhavebeenalady ($2.50) was a 2:01.1 maiden winner for trainer Paul Langille, with Marc Campbell getting the catch driving call to push his seasonal earnings over the threshold.

In Home Hardware Maritime Breeder’s Action, Dusty Lane Kahlua ($5.20) fought back inside the final strides to capture the $18,000 three-year-old filly trot split in race 2. Adam Merner mapped out the winning trip for trainer Lenny Myers, collaring pacesetter Supreme Rockette in 2:01 for owners Garry MacDonald and Ronnie Gass. Supreme Rockette cut it all for Michael McGuigan and settled for second with Majian Mystery (Driven by Jim Ripley) third.

Rookie filly Dusty Lane Margo ($21.00) sprung the upset in the $19,500 two-year-old filly trot division in race 4. Jason Hughes had the Ashley Gamester trainee poised in mid-pack before the daughter of E L Rocket kicked home in 29.3 to nail Emberlees Rocket (Marc Campbell) with Roseys El Girl (Ken Murphy) third in 2:03 for owner Donald MacRae.

Little Louis ($2.10) extended his streak to 10 straight in the $19,500 two-year-old colt trot division in race 7. Corey MacPherson sent the Kuri White pupil right to the engine and the East Coast Captains homebred did the rest, stopping the clock in 2:01.2 to outlast a flying West River Karuna (Clare MacDonald) with Hoponarocket (McGuigan) third.

West River Jet ($2.10) saved the night’s biggest exclamation for the $18,000 Maritime Breeder’s three-year-old colt trot division in race 10, blasting to the lead for driver Ken MacDonald and drawing off by 15-lengths in 1:58.2 for trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley MacDonald. Marcus Down Ridge rallied for second and Dusty Lane Gus was third.

Ashley Gamester and Landon Campbell both scored training doubles on the card while driver Ken Murphy bagged four wins on the program.

Live racing continues Saturday afternoon at 12:30 P.M., at Red Shores Charlottetown. Find more at Redshores.ca.

For complete race results, click here.