Sophomore sensation headlines Thursday card

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Phenomenal harness racing filly Badgirl Bridgette gets top billing in the Thursday evening featured pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 13-dash program gets underway at 6 P.M., with the $3,500 pacing feature in race 12 of the evening.

Jason Hughes is back in the race bike for owner-trainer Bill Lanigan of Montague as Badgirl Bridgette looks for her third straight win during her freshman campaign. The daughter of Stonebridge Terror _ Whatabadgirl has been nothing short of superb every time she has stepped on the track with a lifetime record of eight wins and a second from 10 lifetime starts. The only time she missed the top-three was in a fourth-place effort in her career debut as a two-year-old in an overnight maiden class.

Talldarklatte (To be driven by Brodie MacPhee) is a main challenger from post 3 for trainer Tom Weatherbie and owner Redland Farms of Bible Hill, N.S. The Tall Dark Stranger filly is a three-time winner so far this season.

Topville Angelina (Gilles Barrieau) is installed as the 7-2 third choice with post 2 from the Ron Matheson barn.

Also in the field are Ms Meaghan Sparkel (Ryan Desroche) JM Sportsfan (Steven Shepherd) and Lady Devine (Ken Murphy).

The Post Time Picks call Badgirl Bridgette the most probable winner of the night.

“Badgirl Bridgette hasn’t raced in a few weeks but her last start was something special. She made a break leaving, regained her gait, and then paced a back half in 55,3 to win against aged mares. She has a gear most just don’t have, so I think she goes back-to-back.”

Trotting action in race 10 has Buckhead Ridge vying for his eighth straight in the $4,000 trotting feature. The Landon Campbell trainee has post 7 with Gilles Barrieau in the race bike for owner Brady Doyle of Stratford.

Race 10 is the Energy & Mines Minister’s Conference Pace with Lorne Valley Barb the top choice from post 3 for owner Barry Macleod of Cardigan. The eight-year-old daughter of Articulator was an impressive winner her last start in a new lifetime best of 1:56.2 for trainer-driver Myles Heffernan Jr., who is having a solid rookie season in the race bike with four wins and a .262 driving average.

Play along with the action live at the track or online through HPIBET.COM, and check out live racing coverage and programs at Redshores.ca.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores