MacDonald Driving Championship at Charlottetown

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Harness racing driver Marc Campbell claimed the Paul MacDonald Memorial Trophy in 2021 and will seek to retain it Saturday afternoon (Nov. 19) during Horse Person’s Day at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The Capital oval has 14-dashes on tap Saturday afternoon with a 12:30 P.M. opening post time featuring the MacDonald Memorial Driving Championship as part of Horse Person’s Day, presented by the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owner’s Association. The day will also feature other events including second chance prize draws for racing fans.

The eight-dash competition lines up in races 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 with eight drivers competing for the top prize. The historic challenge has the top four dash winning drivers on P.E.I. in Marc Campbell, Gilles Barrieau, David Dowling and Corey MacPherson. The over 75 drives percentage category sees Mike McGuigan and Jason Hughes in competition while the top percentage drivers with 25 to 75 drives are represented by Ambyr Campbell and Steven Shepherd. Drivers will be awarded points for each drive and the top pilot will receive the MacDonald Memorial Trophy.

The first dash of the competition in race 3, sponsored by Elm Grove Farms, has Outrageous Spirit (Articulator – Outrageous Storm) leaving from post 3 for the team of co-owner and trainer Kevin Peters of Emyvale and co-owner Paul Holmes of Warren Grove. The mare is a 44-time winner including her latest start and has drawn Steven Shepherd, brother of former Canadian Dash Winner Robert Shepherd, into the driver’s seat on Saturday afternoon.

Her main rivals include Ma Rebelle (Ambyr Campbell) from post 4 from the Jansen Sweet barn along with Starshipsalicia (Jason Hughes) with post 8 for trainer Earl Watts. Also in the field are Elm Grove Nanci (Corey MacPherson), Windmerenoharmdone (Gilles Barrieau), I Can Do It (David Dowling), Dancers Pass (Mike McGuigan) and Black Elektra (Marc Campbell).

The Post Time picks see Shepherd starting off the day on a winning note.

“Outrageous Spirit found her best stride last week and got that first win of 2022. It was a confidence booster and Shepherd will have her on the front foot so she could go back-to-back.” 

The Vernon MacDonald Memorial is the feature on the day in race 13 for a $3,150 purse. First Glance has shown he loves the front end and will have rail control in the Preferred 2 pace for driver Hughes and trainer Jennifer Doyle, who co-owns with Danny Birt of Earncliffe. Top competition in that dash includes Boys Turn (Dowling) from post 6 and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie) with post 3.

Stash It Away, Mantario Face Off Again Sunday 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – After Mantario won the last contest in a nose decision, Stash It Away (Pang Shui) will look to even the score in the Sunday afternoon Preferred pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The city track has 13-dash scheduled for a 12:30 P.M. opening post time with the Preferred pace carrying a $3,500 purse in race 12.

Marc Campbell retains the drive on Stash It Away from post 4 from the Kevin MacLean barn for owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. The three-year-old was a four-time winner during his 2022 stakes campaign and has been adjusting well to aged competition with a second-place finish in last week’s Preferred to Mantario.

Mantario has post 5 on Sunday for driver David Dowling and conditioner Jennifer Doyle after winning three of his last four races. Spicey P has been one of the hottest horses on the East Coast lately and draws post 3 for trainer-driver Jason Hughes. Also in the field are Burn Out Hanover (Brady Sweet) and Screen Test (Corey MacPherson).

The Post Time Picks place Stash It Away on top.

“Stash It Away He was flying on the end of it last week and just missed by a whisker. He also lines up in the same spot and with the way he can storm home expect him to get the gold this time.” 

Southwind Arturo (Muscle Hill) makes the move up to the Open Trot in race 10 for trainer-driver Campbell and owners Robin Burke of Brackley and Natasha Campbell of Orwell. The three-year-old stallion is the track record holder at the capital oval at ages two and three and has won his last four races before moving up to Sunday’s $2,800 contest. Mile Hill Willkie (Barrieau) won the Open Trot last week and has post 3 Sunday for trainer Paul Morrison while Jessiejesorjessica (Dowling) was the winner the week previous and leaves from post 5.

Go to Redshores.ca for free programs, a complete racing schedule and to view the Race Day broadcast. Online wagering is available at HPIBet.com.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores