Income Approach takes O’Brien Memorial at Summerside

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Win streaks are made to be broken but Income Approach’s lives to fight another day after Joe O’Brien Stake harness racing action on a special all-stakes day on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 25) at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

The Sunday program featured the Joe O’Brien Memorial Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and Lady Slipper Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies with $171,075 in total purses on the line.

Income Approach made his win streak into four-straight in his $22,200 O’Brien Gold division for rookie colts with Marc Campbell in the seat for owner-trainer Rachael MacDonald of Trenton, N.S. Heavy favourite Malevolent (Driven by Paul Langille) made a break in stride on the lead in the dash and finished fourth for his undefeated career to end at three-straight wins. Rosetown Eclipse (Corey MacPherson) grabbed second ahead of Windemere Joel (David Dowling).

The other $22,200 O’Brien Gold division had One Wicked Man (Kenny Arsenault) win in 1:57 for owner James Perrot of Stratford over Prince Malicious (Jason Hughes) and Sergeant Crowley (Myles Heffernan Sr.).

The $11,100 Joe O’Brien Grassroots divisions were won by Flamin Fredy (Campbell) in 1:59.2 for trainer George Rennison, Abiding Art in 1:59 as part of a double for trainer-driver Arsenault and Bettim Alive (Ken Murphy) in 1:58.4 for trainer Joe Baxter.

Saulsbrook Inferno (Dowling) won her $20,750 Lady Slipper Gold division for two-year-old pacing fillies while defeating race favourite Woodmere Flojo (Adam Merner), who had her win streak snapped at three-straight, in a 1:59.3 trip. Earl Watts trains Saulsbrook Inferno, who now has her own three-race win streak, for owners Windemere Farms, Hollis Newson, Sterling Buchanan and Jack Quinn. Third went to Lorne Valley Liv (Heffernan).

Tobins Dream nabbed all the glory in the other $20,750 Lady Slipper Gold division at 10-1 odds for the team of driver Campbell, trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. Jafetica (Heffernan) was second best with Talldarklatte (Brodie MacPhee) completing the $553.10 triactor ticket.

The $10,375 Lady Slipper Grassroots divisions saw victories by Red Dirt Rock It in 1:58.3 for trainer-driver Mike McGuigan, Elm Grove Talia in 2:00.1 for trainer-driver David Dowling, Howmac Maleficent (Hughes) in 2:00.2 from the Baxter barn, Southwind Richochet (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:59.3 for trainer Ron Matheson and Badgirl Bridgette (Hughes) in a 26-1 shocker by open lengths in 1:59.2 for veteran trainer Bill Lanigan.

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores