Horse Racing New Brunswick are proud to present the annual Barrieau-McIsaac Memorial stake named in honour of the legendary harness racing horsemen at Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B on Friday (June 30) night.
The long running stake is in memory of two Hall of Fame horsemen in Rufin Barrieau and Francis McIsaac. Both are legends in the Maritimes long standing history.
This is the first time that the lucrative stake will take place outside of Exhibition Park Raceway. There will be three separate elimination heats that go for $ 6000 a division.
Finalists will meet head on for a battle topping $ 37,000. Top two from all three eliminations advance, while two out of three third place finishers advance to be decided by draw. Another third-place finisher will start in the consolation.
All other colts and geldings will have a chance for the consolation for $ 5000. Fillies will race for a total bonus of $ 3000. $ 2000 for the top placed filly in the final and $ 1000 for the next highest placed filly.
Post time for Friday night’s card is slated for 6:30 P.M that will see a total of six races on the program.
There are a total of nineteen colts & fillies who have entered the eliminations in hope of making the rich final.
Looking at the divisions, the first looks like a battle between Lookoveryour from the powerful Marc Campbell stable. Elm Grove Redwine and David Dowling will be a tough foe.
Lookoveryour has won her last two races and includes a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1 over Red Shores Charlottetown. Elm Grove Redwine has not missed the board in 2023 for trainer-driver David Dowling and will be a win threat.
In the second division, Bacononabiscuit, another entry off a new lifetime mark last start of 1:56, will have the leading driver in the Maritimes, Marc Campbell on board. He is trained by Stacey Darrah and has three wins in six starts this season.
His biggest test should come from Singing Ramona and Woodmere Clara. All three divisions are extremely competitive and should make for great wagering.
In the third and final division, there are seven starters and it’s wide open who will come out with the top two finishers earning a berth in the $ 37,000 final. Howmac Charmer has the inside post in this race with the aggressive Patrick Shepherd above the wheels.
New Shooter comes in red hot with three straight wins for trainer George Rennison and leaves post-two. Elm Grove Restwind gets the trailing spot and the highly productive trainer-driver combo of David Dowling.
In other news, Therealprincess, one of the most dominant stake performers in the Maritimes in 2021-22 is back in the Maritimes and under the ownership of Dr. Mitch Downey. She has drawn post-six in the top overnight class in the finale.
Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to extend gratitude to the horsemen and women who chose to enter for Friday. It’s a long trip for many and they appreciate all the support.
by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick