Top Atlantic pacers to clash in Barrieau-McIsaac elims

Francis McIsaac and Rufin Barrieau, two of the most well known and regarded harness racing horsemen ever in the Maritimes, will be honoured this Saturday at Exhibition Park Raceway presented by Horse Racing New Brunswick.

Assembled Saturday, are the finest three-year-old pacers in Atlantic Canada in the $6,000 eliminations that will see two divisions that will see eight finalists determined for the July 9th showdown.

In division one, Stash It Away (Pang Shui) comes in as the one to beat and will have rail control for trainer Kevin McLean and driver Corey Macpherson . He has over $70,000 made so far in his career, not bad for a $17,500 yearling purchase.

He will have a handful of more than capable competitive pacers to turn aside. Fern Hill Gusto (Stonebridge Terror) and Marc Campbell have been stifling hot as of late, winning his last start in a new record of 1:54.4. He will have post-five for Campbell which should be a good post with his versatility.

Allthewaytocardigan (Tobago Cays), another standout this season for Myles Heffernan has post-six and has only went down to defeat once this season, to the aforementioned Fern Hill Gusto. He has over $30,000 in the bank for his career and was a $17,500 yearling purchase.

In division two, it appears that Fern Hill General (Malicious) should attract alot of respect from his fellow competition and punters at the windows. He has over $ 51,000 in the bank in his career and is from the stable of veteran horseman Earl Smith.

He has a lifetime mark of 1:56.1 and will be handled by Brodie MacPhee. New Brunswick is well represented with three horses owned by N.B owners. They were fortunate at the draw as well as they have posts one through three.

Big Time Brawler (Sportswriter) will look to keep his momentum going for owner Dr. Mitchell Mark Downey as he comes off a new record at Red Shores last start in 1:58.4. He’s a home bred.

KCS Starlite (Source Of Pride) was razor sharp in her last outing at Truro Raceway as she paced her mile in 1:55.1 behind this year’s early horse of the year candidate, Therealprincess. She too is a home bred in New Brunswick and will be looking for a berth in next week’s final. Stephen Trites will drive.

Orrsterror (Stonebridge Terror), yet another entry from New Brunswick was foaled right here in the province of New Brunswick for trainer and driver Gilles Barrieau. She’s been coming on strong to the stakes trail after some wins here at Exhibition Park Raceway before being sent to P.E.I.

She’s bankrolled over $12,000 this season and a scored a new life’s mark this season at Summerside in 1:59.1. Others to watch in this division are Soul Assassin (Malicious) and Howmacs Maximus (Articulator).

Race one will see the chance to watch the two year old N.B Breeders Stakes for a lucrative purse of $ 11,500. Five entries will battle it out for top supremacy with an impressive field.

Leading the way, Miss Countour a daughter of the high producing stallion Shadow Play. She was foaled in nearby Sussex by the well known Charlotte Ranch. David Dowling drives and trains the $26,000 yearling purchase.

She was impressive in her qualifier last week as she closed a nice last quarter of :29.4. Brookdale Seb, another product of Shadow Play and a $10,000 yearling purchase looks like another top choice.

He was a winner in his qualifier for Doug Polley and closed his final quarter of :28.3 in his appearance behind the gate for his first time on record. Three locally stabled entries also take part with Lazarium (Lazarus), Nannie Bernice (Artspeak) and Silent Movie Star (Stonebridge Terror) rounding out the freshman.

Saturdays card will feature a total of seven dashes which get underway at 1:00 P.M. Thanks to all horsemen and women taking part in Saturday’s race program from Horse Racing New Brunswick’s Official Fan Page!

For complete race entries, click here.

by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick