Another big card set for Woodstock

Saturday afternoon, Horse Racing New Brunswick, for the second harness racing card in a row, will offer over $50,000 in purse money with the running of the lucrative Milton Downey stakes that will go in three divisions. There are two division of two-year-old pacing fillies for purses of $11,200 and one colt division for $21,200.

In all, there are eight races on the matinee card which get underway at 1:00 P.M. There are six overnight races on the card including a $2,500 top-class that will feature Press Time (Sportswriter) looking to go back-to-back after an eye-popping 1:54.1 win last week for new owner Zach Cougle and driver Jason Hughes.

The annual Milton Downey stakes, a staple on the New Brunswick stakes calendar, honors the memory of the owner, builder, breeder, trainer, and well-known Atlantic Canadian entrepreneur. Milton operated a public stable in Saint John, New Brunswick for several years.

Not only did he breed his own horses, but he also purchased several “Down Under“ horses who made names for themselves in the Maritimes. Horses like Timely Robin, Scottish Heath N, Bright Breezy N, Glen Lustre and many more. He also campaigned horses in the top-class from his own stable including Christoper C Down.

In the first filly division for $11,200, Adam Merner and Lady Hess (Heston Blue Chip) has been given top billing by race secretary Brent Briggs. She has two wins and two seconds in six starts this year and over $13,000 in money earned. Jamie Smith trains the daughter of Heston Blue Chip, she was a $13,000 yearling purchase.

Merner has another good shot in the other filly division with Woodmere Flojo (Arthur Blue Chip), another Jamie Smith trainee who is having a stellar year with over $31,000 in just six starts this year. My Happy Place (Shadow Play) and Gilles Barrieau is undefeated in 2024 in two starts and is another top choice of the oddsmaker. She has banked over $11,000 in her two wins and comes from the top high producing Ron Matheson stable.

In the colt division, for $21,200 One Wicked Man (Mcwicked) has been the valedictorian of the freshman boys this year in the Maritimes with a 1:56.2 win and only one loss. Kenny Arsenault trains and drives the colt who is four of five this year and over $21,000 in earnings.

New Brunswick owned Sergeant Crowley (Arthur Blue Chip) has been a nice surprise for the Ultimate Stable of Greater Lakeburn. He has over $22,000 in winnings this season, and a win in 1:58.1 this year. Like A King (Arthur Blue Chip) a late bloomer who was an upset winner in his last outing for owner Jennifer Ritchie. He now has over $21,000 in earning in 2024.

Another thrilling card presented by Horse Racing New Brunswick as they go to Saturday racing through the month of September. A big thank you to all the horsemen and women who are taking part in Saturday’s card, and Connell Park in Woodstock, New Brunswick will be hopping again this week at 1:00 P.M.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick