JM Sportsfan scores upset mile at Charlottetown

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – JM Sportsfan (Sportswriter) was missionized from the start as she paced to harness racing victory in the Thursday evening (June 1) Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Steven Shepherd sent his father Harold Shepherd’s trainee to the lead and the 5-1 pacing mare never gave up an inch on her way to a two-length victory in 1:54.1. The $3,300 class saw fractions of 28.2, 57.3 and 1:26 with Dreamfair Zenfire (Driven by Marc Campbell) coming first-up to finish second ahead of Ladylike (David Dowling). Harold Shepherd shares the ownership of the winning mare with Angus Birt, Maurice McCabe and Wayne MacPherson. She paid $12.30 to win.

Campbell was the hot driver of the evening with four trips to the winner’s circle as he continues to lead the driving standings at the Capital oval. Campbell opened the card up winning race 1 with Ms Chantalmachabay (1:57.2) for trainer Ken Wilkie, followed by a race 3 score with Ralph Sweet’s Shes A Comedian (1:58). Race 6 saw more Campbell as Shes So Sweet (1:55.4) was a winner from the Colin Johnson barn and Campbell’s own Freddie (2:01) won race 8 for the trotter’s 82^nd lifetime win.

Trainer Johnson also won the $3,100 Open Trot as Adam Merner steered New Legacy to victory in 1:58.1 over Jessiejesorjessica (Gilles Barrieau) and Sailor Blue (Ken Murphy). Merner scored three wins on the night visiting the winner’s circle with You Aint Dolly in a new career best of 1:55.2 for trainer Brendan Curran and with Lil Reeses Pieces (2:00) for a maiden breaking score from the Melissa Rennie stable.

Johnson had a training triple on the night with Ill Tell Me Ma (Corey MacPherson) winning race 9 in 1:57.1.

Live racing continues Saturday evening at 6 P.M. at Red Shores Charlottetown with the launch of the Red Shores All Star Handicapping Challenge.

For race replays and the Player’s Portal go to Redshores.ca.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores