Charlottetown hosts Gamester-Pinkney challenge

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – A sample of young harness racing driving talent in Atlantic Canada will face off Thursday evening (Aug. 2) in a division of the Gamester-Pinkney Cup at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The Thursday evening Red Shores Charlottetown presentation has 14-dashes starting off at 6 P.M., with the Gamester-Pinkney Memorial Rookie Driving Challenge leg in race 4 for drivers 30 and younger with less than 100 lifetime wins. The P.E.I. component of the event is in honour of lifelong horseman Byron Gamester of Glen Valley, who passed away in 2015. Gamester was known for giving opportunities to dozens of young drivers at the matinee circuit with many of them moving on to pari-mutuel driving careers.

Countercurrency is the top selection in Thursday’s race for trainer-driver Brady Sweet, 21, of O’Leary and owner Tyra Perry of Tignish. The Sportswriter mare has made two trips to the winner’s circle so far this season.

Zach Conway, 22, of Bonshaw will steer Southern Heart off the rail for trainer Ron Matheson.

Post 2 has Kyle Gillis, 25, of Souris driving I Can Do It from the Keith Ford barn. The Western Paradise mare sports a trip of top-three finishes in her last three starts.

Brett Clow, 18, of New Haven gets the call aboard Mds Girl from post 3, also from the Ford stable. Clow recently scored his first lifetime win with Bold N Bad in Summerside.

Patrick Shepherd, 31, of Stratford will sit behind 12-time winner Elm Grove Nanci for trainer Robert Phillips from post 4. Shepherd, who just moved home from Ontario, just snuck in under the criteria as he was still 30-years-old when applications closed on May 31.

Jaycob Sweet, 21, of O’Leary will drive Elm Grove Misty with post 5 from the Dave Kelly Sr., barn while Dorabella has post 7 for trainer-driver Kyle Desroche, 24, of Coleman. La Vie En Rose gave Desroche his first win on July 23 at Red Shores Summerside.

The Post Time Picks are going with Countercurrency on top in the $2,000 class.

“Countercurrency braved it first up at Red Shores Summerside and rallied in for the bronze. Makes the moves to Charlottetown and with Sweet in the seat she could hit the wire first.”

Race 9 on the night is the $3,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred pace.

For live video, free programs, drivers profiles, HPIBet and more go to Redshores.ca.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores