13-1 upset winner in Governor’s Plate

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Saturday night proved that harness racing dreams can come as Bugsy Maguire captured the 52nd running of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, for the conclusion of Governor’s Plate week racing at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

The $25,000 Governor’s Plate Invitational final saw Bugsy Maguire find the wire first to give 95-year-old owner Walter Simmons his first victory in the Prince County classic after chasing the race for decades. Brodie MacPhee was in the bike for trainer Wade Sorrie as he paid $28.80 to win over Time To Dance (Driven by Adam Merner) and defending champion Rose Run Quest (Marc Campbell).

The beginning saw Simple Kinda Man (Jason Hughes) fire to the front from post 7 to post a blistering 26.3 opener. The half was reached in 56 seconds with Screen Test (Corey MacPherson) engaging the leader first-over with eventual winner Bugsy Maguire following second-over. Screen Test took over the lead at the three-quarters of 1:24.4 while Bugsy Maguire moved up to take over for the stretch drive to prevail in 1:54.1 for a 13-1 upset. It was also the first Governor’s Plate victory for trainer Sorrie and driver MacPhee.

The 13-dash program also featured a pair of $12,500 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-Divisions for three-year-old pacing colts won by Windemere Ryan (Merner) in 1:57.1 and Tobins Rebel (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:56.

Driver Campbell also received the Basil Whelan Memorial trophy Saturday evening for leading driver of Governor’s Plate Week 2020.

Trainer Melissa Rennie had a training double while driver David Dowling celebrated three trips to the winner’s circle.
For more information go to Redshores.ca.

By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores