Campbell wins five including Governor’s Plate

SUMMERSIDE, PE – There was no stopping Time To Dance on his way to the harness racing winner’s circle in the 53rd running of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, Saturday evening at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway. Time To Dance was last year’s Gold Cup & Saucer winner.

Marc Campbell was aggressive from post 1, setting his trainee on the lead in the $25,000 final while forcing hard leaving Woodmere Ideal Art (Driven by Todd Trites) to get in the two-hole headed to the :27 second opening quarter.

Day Delight (Gilles Barrieau) found himself caught on the outside as the field approached the half of 55.2 and that is when Time To Dance opened up on the lead going to the three-quarters of 1:24.3 and closing out the mile in 1:53.1.

Rose Run Quest (Walter Cheverie) went up the passing lane in the stretch drive to finish eight-lengths back in second with Avatar J (Jason Hughes) rallying for third to complete the $157.20 triactor ticket.

Brent Campbell of Charlottetown and Matt McDonald of Edwards, Ont., share ownership of the winning five-year-old A Rocknroll Dance gelding, who scored his 23rd lifetime victory.

It was a five-win night for driver Campbell as he also won the $7,500 Bob Dewar Memorial Governor’s Plate consolation with Imalookertoo in 1:53.2 for trainer Danny Romo and owner Robert Sumarah of Halifax, N.S.

Campbell’s other wins came with Cyclone Alvie (1:58.1) for Ralph Sweet of O’Leary, Hunger Pangs (1:56.3) for trainer Hughie Murphy and with Roselily (1:54.4) from his own stable.

The Campbell barn had another large win on the evening in the $5,000 Ruby Chappell Memorial Open Pacing Mares final as Redmond Doucet picked up the catch drive on the Campbell trained Dreamfair Zenfire and got up in the final strides to win in 1:55.2 for owners Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris.

Woodmere Stealdeal (Campbell) tasted defeat for the first time in his 14-race career as he had to settle for second in a $16,400 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old colt pacers as Dustylanegoliath battled past in the stretch to win in 1:54. Gilles Barrieau trains and drives Dustylanegoliath for owner Daniel Ross of Belfast.

The other $16,400 A-division for sophomore colts saw Jadensmagicsteel (Myles Heffernan Sr.) deliver the biggest win of his career in 1:55.3 for Boys Will Be Boys Racing of Charlottetown and trainer Ron Gass. It was the third straight win for the son of Steelhead Hanover – Meridian Magic.

The $3,000 B-divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old colts had Whistler (Hughes) prevail in 1:58 along with Silver Jake (Devon Wallace) in 1:58.3 in the other split.

Moonwriter (David Dowling) won the $3,100 Premier’s Pace in 1:55.2 for trainer Colin Johnson while the Minister Of Finance Pace was claimed by Woodmere Beachline (Ken Murphy) in 1:56.2 from the Wade Sorrie stable.

The night had an all-time record handle for the Summerside Raceway with $120,231 wagered on the program.

Live racing continues Sunday evening at 6:30 P.M. with Friday night’s rescheduled program featuring the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.

For replays and more go to Redshores.ca.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores