Gold Cup & Saucer Trial 3 to New Zealand import

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Heaven On High N (Rock N Roll Heaven) is headed to the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Final, presented by Atlantic Lottery, after his Monday evening (Aug. 12) victory in Trial 3 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park during Old Home Week harness racing action.

Trial 3 of the Gold Cup and Saucer saw Larry Karr (Driven by Austin Sorrie) blast off the starting gate from post 8 to secure the lead past the opening eighth and control the fractions of 28 and 56.3 with Heaven On High N (Brett MacDonald) sitting second.

Southwind Sambucca (Marc Campbell) was calling first-up on the outside at the half and continued to engage the pacesetter at the three-quarters of 1:25.2 but it was Heaven On High N who pounced in the stretch drive to overtake Larry Karr by a length in 1:52.3. Third went to Rocks Shining Star (Jason Hughes) who earned the final berth in the August 17 $100,000 final. Jamie Smith trains the winning pacer for owners Shark Racing Stable of Bainbridge, N.Y.

Heaven On High N, Larry Karr and Rocks Shining Star will join Save America, Binge On Yankee, American History, Fortify, Covered Bridge and Twin B Tuffenuff in the final with the official post-position draw to take place live during the Tuesday evening program.

The fourth through sixth place finishers in Trial 3 (Bob Loblaw, High Voltage Deo and Smooth Lou) will face off again in the $30,000 James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation on Aug. 16. Seventh and Eighth place finishers Southwind Sambucca and Island Beach Boy will join the field in the $15,000 P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association Pace on Aug. 17.

In other Monday evening action, Tobins Chester was the boss in the lone $28,460 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old pacing colts. Jason Hughes drove the Ashley Gamester trainee for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge.

The $6,000 B-divisions for sophomore pacing colts were won by Heres To Art (Ken Murphy) in 1:55.3, Dusty Lane Zoro (Brodie MacPhee) in 1:55.4, Howmac General (David Dowling) in 1:56.4, and Little Leroy (Adam Merner) in 1:54.4.

Marc Campbell had a driving triple on the program.

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. featuring the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores