McRae Memorial highlights Red Shores weekend

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Harness racing series action continues Saturday afternoon (Nov. 25) with the eliminations of the Steven MacRae Memorial at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. 

The capital oval has 14-dashes on tap for a 12:30 P.M. opening post time including the eliminations of the Steven MacRae Memorial series, named in honour of the late race fan and horse owner who passed away at age 25 in 2019. 

The first $3,000 MacRae Memorial elimination takes to the track in race 5 with Check Your Source (To be driven by Adam Merner) the morning line favourite from post 1 for trainer Gordie Hennessey and owners Gisele Bernard and Lori Hennessey. The four-year-old son of Source Of Pride will take on seven rivals including Keeper Floored (Marc Campbell) and Outrageous Show (Corey MacPherson). 

The Post Time Picks like Keeper Floored to get it all from post 2 for trainer Roger MacRae.  

“Keeper Floored doesn’t have much gate speed so Marc will wait for the dust to settle before making his move. He’s been racing stiffer competition than he faces today so look for a brush and crush type trip from him in here.” 

The second MacRae elimination in race 7 contains a field of seven with the top four advancing to next week’s final. 

Rockin Novel will look for redemption from post 6 in the field after a costly miscue last week. Ken Murphy gets the driving assignment for trainer Roy Reynolds and owners Reynolds Racing of Murray River. 

Other top entries include Stealing Bases (David Dowling) and Philthebank (Campbell). 

The Post Time Picks look at Rockin Novel as a heavy favourite. 

“Rockin Novel Is facing easier competition today but draws outside. There’s some inside speed but this horse should get the respect off the wings. He’ll be tough to beat.” 

The program also featured a $3,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace in race 13. 

Play at the track or from home through HPIBET.COM. For the Race Day broadcast, race programs and more go to the new player portal at Redshores.ca.     

The Sunday afternoon (Nov. 26) Preferred Pace has a field of six capable contenders at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. 

The city track will host 16-dashes starting at 12:30 P.M. with the $3,800 featured pace hitting the track in race 15. The field of six is handicapped by their earnings in their last five races with American Risk (To be driven by Gilles Barrieau) getting the rail spot from the George Rennison barn for owner Risky Bizz Group of Truro. The American Ideal seven-year-old has a pair of wins in his last five starts including the top class at Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B., and the top class at Inverness Raceway in Cape Breton, N.S. 

Laughagain Hanover (Jason Hughes) is trained by his driver for owners Donald MacRae and Blair and Eric MacLauchlan fresh off a second place finish his last start. The two-time winner this campaign has drawn post 2 Sunday. 

Post 3 has stakes winner Stash It Away who continues to excel in his four-year-old campaign for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. Ken Murphy gets the driving assignment behind the 20-time winner who has been second and third his last two weeks at this level. 

Former Governor’s Plate and Gold Cup and Saucer winner Time To Dance has post 4 for driver Marc Campbell, trainer and co-owner Brent Campbell and co-owners Brady Doyle, Kent MacDonald and Ryan MacLeod. 

Island Beach Boy (Brodie MacPhee) gets post 5 for trainer Tom Weatherbie and owners Ian Smith and Arnold Hagen. The Somebeachsomewhere gelding snagged his seasonal record in October when he won in 1:52.4. 

Getting the outside assignment was last week’s Preferred Pace winner, No Plan Intended (David Dowling) from the Jennifer Doyle barn for owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe.  The Up The Credit gelding was superb in his first start back on red soil with a 1:53.4 win on Nov. 19 at Red Shores Charlottetown. 

The Post Time Picks treat No Plan Intended as the one to beat. 

“No Plan Intended was large and in charge last week attacking first up and rolling to victory by over three lengths in 1:53.4. Moves out to post six and Dowling won’t wait long so it could be a repeat performance.” 

Catch all the action at the track or check out the Player Portal at Redshores.ca for race programs, live video and more.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores