Joe O’Brien Stakes Highlights Friday Card at Summerside
Harness Racing PEI Sports
By Lee Drake
Summerside, PE – Four divisions of the Joe O’Brien Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts will take center stage on a rare Friday night at the Summerside Raceway. Post time for the action packed card is 7pm sharp.
Mr Salming lands on the rail in the first Gold division for catch-driver Gary Chappell. The colt, co-owned by Boyd MacDonald, Crapaud and Dan Ross, Belfast, should be solid force in the $10,200 level but has to contend against such rivals as Island Redemption, who has won his last two for driver Gilles Barrieau and Ringmaster. Ringmaster, leaving from post 2, is expected to provide early gate speed. This guy shows opening panels in 28.3 seconds. Paul Morrison has taken over the training duties. Fitelle, owned by Peter Lanigan, Montague, Comebacks Sir Tax from the Garth Cole stable and Student Loan, trained by Ken Wilkie, will be looking for the trip and a major share of the purse.
Dr Alexander B is the morning line favorite in the other O’Brien gold division. Trainer Paul Doyle has the services of Shane Bernard for the event. This duo has surpassed the $17,000 mark in the 2009 campiagn. They can expect pressure from Going Large. The colt, owned by the Kickin Horse Stable, Stratford, won his last start in 2:00.3 with a closer of 29.4 over Northside Downs in Sydney. Darren Crowe is in town to drive. Watch out for Jersey Joe and driver Lenny Myers from post 5. Race insiders point to their impressive 1:59.4 victory at Charlottetown on September 26 for owners Cheryl Poulton and Dan MacIssac of Charlottetown. The class also includes Island Dominator for Jason Hughes, Woodmere Jethro and Ken Murphy and Elm Grove Emerson for Todd Trites.
Sea Danny Win, owned by Charlottetown businessman Tim Banks, is the morning line favorite in the O’Brien grassroots division. He’ll be fighting off challenges from Busters Brother, trained by Terry Affleck, along with Langley Road and Len McGuigan while Magical Alex, in line to Todd Trites, could also hit the ticket.
Woodmere Fools Son is getting some serious attention in the other grassroots split for driver Terry Gallant, trainer Troy Deroches and owner Eric Johnson, Summerside. You can expect a challenge from Tellyounolie. The colt, owned by Maurice Coady, Charlottetown, Steven MacDonald, Covehead and Willie MacInnis, Charlottetown, has the most money made in the field and has a third place finish and a win in his last two starts.
The action gets underway Friday at 7pm at the Summerside Raceway. Players can qualify for a new car in the Mystery Keys promotion with the Pay 4, Super Pack and Pick 6 wagering cards.