New Legacy kicks off Island Trot Challenge

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Fending off a late challenge in the stretch, New Legacy (Father Patrick) got it all in the $7,500 Andrew Perry Memorial Invitational Trot on Friday (July 14) evening at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate Week of harness racing.

The Invitational event served as the first leg of the Island Trot Challenge, presented by Fox Group, with New Legacy winning in 1:58.1 for driver Adam Merner, trainer Colin Johnson and owners Debbie Element, Matt and David Burke and Don MacNeill Jr. Jessiejesorjessica (Driven by David Dowling) came to call late but had to settle for second ahead of Sailor Blue (Ken Murphy).

The night also featured the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies with Saulsbrook Abbey capturing the fastest $14,640 A-division for her first A-stakes victory from the Saul Lanigan barn to give the filly four wins and a second from five lifetime starts. Corey MacPherson was above the wheels for owners Saul, Peter and Mark Lanigan. Race favourite Saulsbrook Mabel (Gilles Barrieau) was second with Next In Line (Jason Hughes) third.

Rock N Roll Cays controlled every step of her $14,640 A-division assignment winning in 1:55.2 for driver Murphy, who scored a driving grand slam on the night, and trainer Jeff Holmes. Hardcore Racing of Belfast owns the filly. Our Girl Annie (Barrieau) grabbed second ahead of Lookoveryour (Marc Campbell).

The $4,000 B-divisions for sophomore fillies were won by Stonecold Girl (Dowling) in 1:57, Summer Lovin (Hughes) in 1:59.1 and Royoz Allie (Murphy) in 1:59.

Onlythegooddiyoung (Barrieau) won the race 2 William J. Waite Memorial for trainer Ron Matheson and owner A Matter Of Time Stable of Charlottetown.

Joe C One Fiveoh was the best in the Colin ‘Coke’ Grady Memorial with a 1:58.3 win for owner, trainer and driver Sam Hodgin.

Lyons Jennielee (Murphy) provided a touching moment in the race 9 John Davies Memorial as the winning mare is trained by the late trainer’s son Chris Davies, who co-owns the 1:56.4 victor with his mother Suzanne Davies and Carole Wright.

The race 11 Dave Nicholson Memorial saw Cowboy Logic win for driver Steven Shepherd in 1:57.3 with Harold Shepherd handling the training chores for owners Maurice McCabe, Angus Birt, George Burke and Wayne MacPherson.

Nannie Bernice provided a 7-1 upset in the Frank Banks Memorial in the race 12 finale as the Janice Hubbard owned and trained filly converted a pocket trip to a 1:55.3 victory for driver Murphy.

Governor’s Plate Week racing comes to a close Saturday evening with a 16-dash mega-card starting at 6 P.M. featuring the 55^th running of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores