Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend preview

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Anyone looking for victory in the Saturday afternoon (Oct. 8) Atlantic Breeders Crown Three-year-old harness racing pacing colt consolation will have to go through Fern Hill General (Malicious) during the Weekend Of Champions at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The city track races at 12:30 P.M. with an 11-dash program featuring the $7,500 Atlantic Sires Stakes consolations, presented by Cavendish Farms. 

Fern Hill General is slated as the top dog in the three-year-old pacing colt Atlantic Breeders Crown sophomore colt consolation in race 10 on the heels of his 1:55.2 victory his last start in overnight action. Brodie MacPhee drives the pacer from the Tom Weatherbie barn for owners Peter Smith of Stratford and Gerald Morrissey of Charlottetown.

Soul Assassin (Malicious) will be his main competition from post 4 from the Earl Watts stable with David Dowling in the race bike. He rides a three-race win streak into the event. St Charles Fireball just claimed one of the biggest pots of the season while winning the $34,800 Joe O’Brien Memorial Gold stake at Red Shores Summerside and has post 5 on Saturday for trainer-driver Marc Campbell.

The Post Time Picks like Fern Hill General on top.

“Fern Hill General is really starting to turn it on and that was an awesome win against aged horses. Moves into post two and we’re wagering MacPhee will get to call the shots all the way to the winner’s circle.”

Race 8 is the three-year-old pacing filly consolation and Boo Yaya (Stonebridge Terror) is picked to win from post 2 for driver Redmond Doucet Jr., trainer Robert MacLeod and owners Hugh and Ali MacEachern of Nova Scotia. The three-year-old filly is a two-time winner this year while banking $17,122.

Rock N Roll Cays is the 5-2 morning line favourite in the two-year-old pacing filly consolation in race 6 from the Jeff Holmes stable for owner Hardcore Racing of Belfast. Ken Murphy drives the winner of $23,64 from post 3.

Elm Grove Restwind (Stonebridge Terror) has rail control as the early favourite in the two-year-old pacing colt consolation in race 4 for trainer-driver David Dowling and owners Alex Quinn and Brittany Watts. The colt broke his maiden in his latest start in 1:58.3.

The Atlantic Breeders Crown banquet, presented by Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association, is Saturday night in the Top of the Park. The sold out event will honor Atlantic Canadian families for the first time in 2 years. The finalists will also be recognized but the official trophy presentations will take place Sunday during the championship race card due to limited seating at the banquet. For complete details, click here.

Breeders Crown Sunday set for Charlottetown 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The biggest day of the Atlantic Sires Stake season is slated for Sunday afternoon (Oct. 9) with six Atlantic Breeders Crown finals in play at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 13-dash Championship presentation gets underway at 12:30 P.M., featuring the Atlantic Breeders Crown finals from the 2022 Atlantic Sires Stakes season, presented by Cavendish Farms.

Irish Ray (Muscle Through It) will attempt to keep his unbeaten season alive in the race 2 $15,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown two-year-old trot final for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston. The colt has won all nine of his races and earned $56,925.

Up Helly AA (Armbro Barrister) continues his champion season in the $15,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown three-year-old trot final in race 4 for driver Ken MacDonald, trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Riley Farms Ltd., of Summerside. With over $32,000 earned this season, Up Helly AA has only tasted defeat twice in 2022.

Our Girl Annie (Arthur Blue Chip) carries the hopes of Kensington into the race 6 $25,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown two-year-old filly pace for owners and breeders Blaine, Jessica and Jennifer Thibeau from post 3. Mark Bradley has the driving call for trainer Ed Doucette as the pilot is one win away from 1,000 lifetime.

Malignity (Malicious) and Fishermans Son (Arthur Blue Chip) have settled nothing all season long and will go back to battle in the $25,000 Atlantic Breeder’s Crown two-year-old pacing colt final in race 8. Malignity has post 5 for trainer-driver Paul Langille while Fishermans Son leaves from post 4 for driver Danny Gillis and trainer Walter Walker. The colts have squared off twice with one win apiece in their match ups.

Therealprincess (Source Of Pride) aims for history in the race 10 $25,000 Atlantic Breeder’s Crown three-year-old pacing filly final. Corey MacPherson drives the filly from post 6 from the Ed Doucette barn with $94,740 earned in 2022 on the cusp of the first $100,000 season in Atlantic Canadian harness racing history. Doucette Co-owns the 14 for 14 filly with Blaine Thibeau, Gordon MacLeod and Grant Mann.

The ultra-competitive three-year-old pacing colt division faces off again in race 12 with Fern Hill Gusto (Stonebridge Terror) the morning line favourite in the $25,000 Atlantic Breeder’s Crown final. Marc Campbell trains and drives for owner Grayland Farm of Gulf Shore, N.S.

The $7,500 Island Oceans Trot Classic Final, presented by JD Marine and Diving Inc., lines up in race 7. Jessiejesorjessica (Justice Hall) is the top choice for driver David Dowling, conditioner and co-owner Jennifer Doyle and co-owner Danny Birt.

Race 13 is the $15,000 Premier’s Cup Invitational with Twin B Tuffenuff (Rock N Roll Heaven) riding a two-race win streak into the race while saddled with post 7 for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Ron Matheson and owner Pat Morris of Charlottetown. Barrieau goes into the weekend needing two wins for the 5,000 driving win plateau.

The afternoon card will feature a special reunion as Samspace returns to Red Shores to lead the post parade in race 5 for his breeder and former driver Dennis Baxter. The retired racehorse, also known from the Saving Sammy showcase on CTV by Dennis’ son Jayson, will also be part of a meet and greet on the tarmac for fans. The 18-year-old was back at the legendary oval earlier in the week for a light jog prepping for his appearance.

Watch all the world class harness racing live at the track or tune into the Race Day broadcast at Redshores.ca or wager through HPIBET.COM. The broadcast team will also feature top picks from Woodbine Mohawk handicappers Robert Reid Jr. and Garnet Barnsdale.

For complete Saturday race entries, click here.

For complete Sunday race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes and Lee Drake, for Red Shores