Mr Kelly, Streakazana grab Maritime glory

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Slamming out front-end fractions, Mr Kelly landed his nose on the wire first in the Doug Harkness Memorial Maritime Breeders three-year-old pacing colt final at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Adam Merner hustled the Ron Gass trainee to the lead in the $20,000 Maritime Breeders final but released stablemate Windemere Ryan (Driven by Marc Campbell) to the front at the 28.1 opening panel and quickly retook the front. The newly established leader, Mr Kelly struck the half-mile marker in 57.1 then found three-quarters in 1:26.2 before fighting off his pocket sitting stablemate for a head victory in the stretch drive in 1:55.

Windemere Ryan was second while Windmere Albert (David Dowling) finished third. The victory was the ninth of the season for Mr Kelly, who increased his career bankroll to $58,048 for owners Marsha Knox and Kyla and Wade MacDonald of Stanhope.

The 'King' of Island racing, Campbell, was the hot commodity of the day with five driving winners including the $23,000 Maritime Breeders three-year-old pacing filly final, in memory of Ken Starratt. Streakazana and Campbell won the championship final with a two-hole ride behind Woodmere Skyroller (Dowling) in some brisk fractions of 26.4, 54.3 and 1:24.2.

The stretch drive saw Streakazana reach up for her MCR Streakazana ownership group and trainer Campbell in 1:54.1. Woodmere Skyroller settled for second while Red Dirt Star (Gilles Barrieau) completed the triactor. The win put Streakazana's seasonal earnings at over $49,000.

Lofty Shadow was another Campbell winner in the maiden class in 2:00.1 from his own barn, while his other three wins were from catch drives. Campbell's trips to the winner's circle included Zack The Men (1:58.3) for trainer Michael MacDonald, La Vie En Rose (1:58.1) for trainer Stacey Lund and Shadow Of A Daut (1:57) from the Earl Watts stable.

For race replays and more go to Redshores.ca.

The afternoon wager was $44,753.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores