Acefortyfour Dome battles Dreamfair Zenfire to the wire

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Acefortyfour Dome (Up The Credit) was pointed for the lead and was unchallenged for most of the mile on her way to a Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace harness racing victory Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Jason Hughes sent his charge forward in the $3,200 feature and led through splits of 28.4, 58.4 and 1:28.4 while seeing no challenges from the backfield. Dreamfair Zenfire (Driven by Marc Campbell) sat the two-hole and tried her luck in the final stanza but fell a-quarter-length short to Acefortyfour Dome in 1:57.3 with Ladylike (Ken Murphy) finishing third. Hughes trains the 26-time winner for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge.

The victory was one of three on the day for Hughes as he also celebrated with Bet The Deck (2:02.2) in race 2 from his own stable and Elm Grove Mistress (1:58.1) in race 11 from the Jennifer Doyle barn.

Hallofaride was the best in the $2,800 Open Trot with a 1:58.4 victory as the betting public’s top selection for driver Ken Murphy and owner-trainer Janice Hubbard of Saint John, N.B.

Doc Darryl (Sunshine Beach) supplied the Sheppard family with a career moment in the $4,000 P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association Autumn Series Final. The five-year-old was on top at every call and fended off a late charging Pacific Delight (Gilles Barrieau) for the biggest career win of the team of driver Colin Sheppard and his daughter, trainer Morgan Sheppard. Luigi Bizacko (Steven Murphy) was flying late to nab third and complete the $241.60 triactor ticket.

The Michelle Myers barn was firing on all cylinders Saturday afternoon as driver Corey MacPherson teamed home Howmac Blaze (1:59.4) in race 10 and Maggiesdelight (1:58.3) in race 13 for the double.

Live racing continues Sunday afternoon at 12:30 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown. Go to Redshores.ca for more.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores