Rollwithhottytoddy, Roll Em impress in ‘Plate’ elims

SUMMERSIDE, PE – Rollwithhottytoddy ground away to a hard-fought victory to stun the first harness racing elimination of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, Sunday afternoon (July 14) at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

The $8,500 elimination saw heavily favoured Bee Two Bee (Driven by Ken Murphy) pounce to the lead with an opening quarter of 27.1. Rollwithhottytoddy and driver Myles Heffernan Sr., got away sixth then started their first-over assault heading to the half of 56.3. The five-year-old son of Rollwithitharry fought uncovered for the rest of the mile with three-quarters reached in 1:25.2 as he got up to engage the front stepping Bee Two Bee. The stretch drive had Rollwithhottytoddy grind away to win by a neck in 1:54.1 at 18-1 odds for owner-trainer Trevor Hicken of Summerside with Bee Two Bee second, Island Beach Boy (Brodie MacPhee) third and Batterup Hanover (Paul Langille) finishing fourth to all earn spots in the July 20 $35,000 final.

Roll Em handily won the other elimination in a 1:53.3 open length score for driver Marc Campbell, trainer and co-owner Brent Campbell and co-owners Ryan MacLeod, Brady Doyle and Savage Stable. All Bets On Tex (Murphy) was second in the $8,500 elimination ahead of fellow Governor’s Plate finalists Fern Hill General (MacPhee) and Twin B Tuffenuff (Gilles Barrieau).

Flip The Script (MacPhee) hit the wire first as the favourite in her $4,500 Ruby Chappell Memorial Open Mares elimination in a time of 1:56.4 for trainer Ashley MacDonald and owner Kent Livingston.

Sugar Bowl (Murphy) won the other split in 1:55.3 for conditioner Ashley Gamester and owners Brian MacPhee and Tommy Collings.

Murphy scored a driving triple on the day also winning with Woodmere Ideal Art (1:57.3) for trainer Sifroi Melanson and Majestic Mason (1:59.2) for trainer Ricky Armstrong.

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Summerside as Governor’s Plate Week racing resumes.

For more go to Redshores.ca.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores