All-age track record set in Governor’s Plate Eliminations

SUMMERSIDE, PE – In track record fashion, Roll Em stamped himself as the early favourite for the 55^th edition of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, in elimination harness racing action on Sunday (July 9) afternoon at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway. 

The first $7,500 elimination saw American Risk (Time To Roll) and driver Paul Langille first to the front at the 27.2 opening quarter but releasing race favourite Roll Em (Marc Campbell) to the lead. The half was reached in 55.4 followed by three-quarters of 1:24.1 before the front stepping Roll Em started to pace away from his foes for a new overall track record of 1:51.1, lowering YS Lotus’ track record of 1:51.4 set in 2016.

Campbell trains the winning pacer for owners Brady Doyle, Brent Campbell, Ryan MacLeod and the Savage Stable. American Risk was second with Rollwithhottytoddy (Myles Heffernan Sr.) third and Stash It Away (Corey MacPherson) finishing fourth to earn a spot in next Saturday’s $35,000 final. 

The second elimination had race favourite Twin B Tuffenuff (Gilles Barrieau) cut out the mile with fractions of 27.1, 55.1 and 1:24.2 before Matticulous GB (Hasty Hall) and driver Ken Murphy swooped from third in the stretch drive to win ay 10-1 odds by a length in 1:53.1. Pocket sitter Batterup Hanover (Langille) was second ahead of Twin B Tuffenuff in third and Vino Louie (Dale Spence) getting the final spot in fourth. The winning pacer hangs his harness bag in the Colin Johnson barn for owners Debbie Element and Matt and David Burke. 

The $4,500 Ruby Chappell Memorial eliminations for Open Mares saw Sugar Bowl continue her winning streak with her fifth straight in 1:56.1 for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owners Brian MacPhee and Tommy Collings. Joining her in next Saturday’s final are Dreamfair Zenfire (Campbell), Ill Tell Me Ma (Corey MacPherson) and Better Be In Love (Spence). 

Acefortyfour Dome won the other Chappell elimination in 1:55.1 for trainer-driver Hughes and owner Donald MacRae. Share The Moment (Barrieau) was second with Plain Jane (Campbell) third and Dollys Sky (Murphy) fourth. 

Governor’s Plate Week racing continues Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside with the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters. 

For more go to Redshores.ca. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores