Top mares to battle again at Charlottetown

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Some of the greatest harness racing mares to ever grace the Eastern Seaboard of Canada saw action this season and those lassies meet up again Saturday (Dec. 10) afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The Capital oval has a 12:30 P.M. opening post time for the 12-dash card with the $3,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred pace lining up behind the Metro Home Building Centre starting gate in race 11.

Acefortyfour Dome (Up The Credit) has been the boss the last two weeks and gets assigned the outside in the compact field of five. Jason Hughes trains and drives for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. Acefortyfour Dome has seen the winner’s circle 12 times so far in 2022 with over $42,000 in earnings.

Dreamfair Zenfire (Sunfire Blue Chip) gets the nod as the morning line favourite in the field from post 4 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. The six-year-old set the track and Atlantic mare’s record in 2021 in 1:52.3, with Acefortyfour Dome tying that Atlantic record this Summer at the Truro Raceway.

Ladylike has rail control in the field with a new driver in the seat. Gilles Barrieau will drive the Jennifer Doyle trainee in place of an absent Ken Murphy, who broke his foot working on his Harrington home. Murphy will be out of action for a yet undetermined period of time.

Also, in the Fillies and Mares Preferred field are Filly Forty Seven (To be driven by Corey MacPherson) and Tobins Brownie (David Dowling).

The Post Time Picks like Dreamfair Zenfire on top.

“Dreamfair Zenfire got a perfect garden trip last week and just missed at the very end. It looks like a similar trip could be in the cards and if that’s how it plays out don’t be shocked to see her smiling for the camera.” 

Johnson Stables Adds Star Pacer 

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Matticulous GB (Hasty Hall) returns to the Colin Johnson stable and will set his sights on lifetime win number 33 in the Sunday (Dec. 11) afternoon feature.

Sunday afternoon will see a 12-dash presentation getting underway at 12:30 P.M.

The $3,500 Preferred pace hits the track in race 11 with Matticulous GB making his first start back in the Johnson stable with Gilles Barrieau driving for new owners Debbie Element of Village Green and Matt and David Burke of Stratford. The Great Britain bred pacer was formerly trained by Johnson in 2020 in Ontario before the horseman made the move to P.E.I. in early 2021. Matticulous GB has since raced in the U.S. with his most recent start a victory at Batavia Downs in New York in 1:55.2. Fellow Johnson trainee Moonwriter has post 4 in the same race with Keith Ford getting the catch driving call.

Ys Mathis returns to P.E.I. in the class, leaving from post 3 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell after a 1:58.2 qualifier last week. Mantario was the Preferred Pace victor on Dec. 4 and has post 5 on Sunday for driver David Dowling. Also in the field are Screen Test (To be driven by Corey MacPherson) and Navalny (Adam Merner).

The Post Time Picks lean on Matticulous GB to get it all.

“Matticulous GB is a newcomer to PEI but looks to have the speed to go with the big boys. We’re wagering Barrieau will want to boss it from the get-go so if he does clear to the lead, it could seal the deal.” 

Sugardaddycontrols makes his first East Coast start in race 2 for new owner Josh MacDonald of Edmonton, Alta. Mike McGuigan trains and drives the Control The Moment three-year-old from post 4 as 5-2 morning line odds in the $2,150 class.

Catch all the action live at the track or tune into the Race Day broadcast at Redshores.ca. Online wagering is available at HPIBet.com.

For complete Sunday race entries, click here.

For complete Sunday race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores