Ladner Memorial highlights Saturday Red Shores card

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The biggest contest in Atlantic Canada so far in the 2021 harness racing season will line up Saturday evening and looks like it will be one to remember at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The capital oval kicks off its 11-dash presentation at 6 P.M. with the $6,000 Cecil Ladner Memorial Invitational lining up in race 10.

The defending Ladner Memorial champion is the likely favourite in Time To Dance who will have to overcome drawing post position 8 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owners Brent Campbell of Charlottetown and Matt McDonald of Edwards, Ont. The five-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance won last year’s edition of this race in 1:52.4 and was a winner his latest start in 1:52.3.

Screen Test has the rail at 12-1 morning line odds for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Ron Gass after winning his last start at Red Shores Summerside in 1:55.4.

Post 2 belongs to Rose Run Quest, who won this race in 2018. Jason Hughes will drive the veteran 51-time winner for trainer Jeff Holmes.

G A Speed Sammy has upset the top pacers before and gets post 3 on Saturday with David Dowling back in the seat for trainer Colin Johnson.

The 2019 Ladner champion, Bugsy Maguire, will leave from post 4 with Brodie MacPhee picking up the drive for trainer Wade Sorrie after sporting a perfect top-two record so far in 2021.

Mc Pat has post 5 from the Gilles Barrieau barn after finishing second his last start in 1:53.1 and gets Ken Murphy at the lines this week.

Day Delight is the post 6 starter in the Ladner for trainer-driver Barrieau with the stylish son of Bettors Delight finishing first and second in his only two Island outings since coming from Ontario.

Avatar J has knocked off the preferred pace in the past and the James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation winner has post 7 on Saturday and Kenny Arsenault handling the driving duties from the Danny MacDonald barn.

Peter MacPhee picks Time To Dance to win in the Post Time Picks. “Time To Dance fired off the wings last week and controlled every step of it winning in 1:52.3,” MacPhee said. “He has to race from post eight this time but we’re confident Campbell maps out a trip back to the winners circle.”

Catch the action live at the track or tune into the Race Day broadcast at Redshores.ca and wager online at HPIBet.com. On site wagering opens at 12 Noon on race days at Red Shores properties.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores