Fields set for Gold Cup and Saucer trials

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – A field of 22 of the finest half-mile harness racing pacers from Canada and the U.S. will contest three trials of the 63^rd Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery commencing Saturday night (Aug. 13) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final will be held in the final minutes of Saturday (Aug. 20) as the crowning moment of Old Home Week 2022 with the top three horses from each trial advancing to that historic race.

Trials 1 and 2 will be held this coming Saturday (Aug. 13) during the lone card of the day with officials consolidating the planned doubleheader into one program in order to ensure a full program of world class harness racing. Post time for that program will be 7 P.M. Atlantic time.

Trial 1 has Cadillac Bayama (Sunshine Beach) shipping in from Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario to draw post 7 in the field of eight with Colin Johnson now handling the training duties for owners Bradley Grant of Ontario and Ecurie Csl of Quebec. The four-year-old was a winner in 1:50 flat in his most recent start at Woodbine.

One of the classiest horses to ever set foot on the East Coast, Sintra (Mach Three), is a top contender in Trial 2, also scheduled for Saturday evening. Leading Canadian reinsman and World Champion James MacDonald is committed to drive the $1.5 million winner on Saturday in Charlottetown for new trainer Jamie Smith and owner Thestable.ca of Ontario.

Patrikthepiranha (Four Starzzz Shark) highlights Trial 3 on Monday evening (Aug. 15) after winning the $50,000 Beckwith Pace at Plainridge Park in Massachusetts on July 25 in 1:51.2. Melissa Beckwith trains the pacer for Thestable.ca.

The complete draw is listed below.

Trial 1 – Saturday Night (Aug. 13) 

Post – Horse (Sire) – Trainer

1 – Time To Dance (A Rocknroll Dance) – Marc Campbell

2 – Bayfield Beach (Somebeachsomewhere) – Victor Puddy

3 – Merito Hanover (Bettors Delight) – Trevor Hicken

4 – Ideal Perception (American Ideal) – Anthony Beaton

5 – Bettim Again (Malicious) – Jeff Lilley

6 – Beachin Lindy (Somebeachsomewhere)  – Stephen Charlton

7 – Cadillac Bayama (Sunshine Beach) – Colin Johnson

8 – Twin B Tuffenuff (Rock N Roll Heaven) – Ron Matheson

Trial 2 – Saturday Night (Aug. 13) 

1 – Legion Seelster (Sunshine Beach) – Victor Puddy

2 – Always B Sweet (Always B Miki) – Anthony Stymest

3 – Major Hill (Art Major) – Chris MacKay

4 – Sintra (Mach Three) – Jamie Smith

5 – Laughagain Hanover (Mcardle) – Teesha Symes

6 – Island Beach Boy (Somebeachsomewhere) – Gilles Barrieau

7 – Rotten Ronnie (Malicious) – Lennan MacIsaac

Trial 3 – Monday Night (Aug. 15) 

1 – Y S Mathis (Sportswriter) – Marc Campbell

2 – Rhodena Road (Ponder) – Neil MacInnis

3 – Lovemyrockinbird (Mystery Chase) – Victor Puddy

4 – Spectrum Seelster (Mach Three) – Chris MacKay

5 – Patrikthepiranha A (Four Starzzz Shark) – Melissa Beckwith

6 – No Plan Intended (Up The Credit) – Colin Johnson

7 – Batterup Hanover (Betting Line) – Paul Langille

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores