CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The ‘Blue Knight’ Jason Hughes came fully armoured Saturday night as he captured five harness racing dashes including the preferred pace with Rock Lights at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Hughes was aggressive with the Chris MacKay trained Rock Lights in the $3,400 preferred pace leaving from post 6 and striking the lead in 28.4. The son of Rock N Roll Heaven hit the half in 57.2 then felt a challenge from the first-over Time To Dance (Driven by Adam Merner), with a five-race win streak at stake, heading to the three-quarters of 1:25.2.
Rock Lights laid down a final panel 27 seconds flat to fight off the defending Gold Cup and Saucer champion by over five lengths in 1:52.2. Time To Dance was second with Racemup (Walter Cheverie) third.
Donnie MacRae of Vernon Bridge shares ownership of the winning pacer with D Racing Stable of New York.
Hughes and MacKay clicked earlier on the night with Southwind Ramsay (1:57) in race 3.
Nicknamed ‘The Blue Knight’ Hughes also won with Elm Grove Kaboom (1:55.1) for trainer Kevin MacLean and with Phil Dorleans (1:57.4) and Willie Brennan (1:58.4) from his own barn.
Day Delight captured the co-feature for Walter Cheverie and trainer-co-owner Victor Puddy in 1:52.4. The son of Bettors Delight is also owned by Wayne MacRae, Lloyd Stone and Howmacs Farms. Screen Test (Corey MacPherson) was second with Rockin Indy (Adam Merner) third.
Cheverie had a driving double on the card.
Race analyst Peter MacPhee with Post Time Picks nailed the Pik 4 ticket on the program.
Total wager was $64,886.
Live racing continues Sunday at 1 P.M. at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
For more information go to Redshores.ca.
by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores