Stakes Underway at Charlottetown
Harness Racing PEI Sports
By Lee Drake
Charlottetown, PE – The stakes season will be officially launched Thursday at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre with five divisions of the Ruby Chappell Memorial. Post time is 7pm.
Darko, with Kenny Arsenault in the bike, is the morning line favorite in the first division for owner Ralph Annear, Montague. The three-year-old banked over $57,000 in 12 starts in 2008. The favorite will experience some pressure from Southview Whitney and Walter Cheverie. The Charles McGee trainee leaves from post 5 for owners Elwood Lawton, Stratford and Arleen Harris, Cornwall. Tammys Little Star is also a threat for driver Jason Hughes.
Shadow Dancer gets the nod in the second division for trainer Doug Hill. Hill shares ownership with his son Jamie. The filly won her first stake event at Fredericton and faces Island Character in this division. Island Character is fresh off a qualifier in 1:59.4 for driver Terry Gallant. This should be a great match-up.
Other division notables include Southview Spirit, R ES Mary and Larshegoes in the third division with PH Quick Chick listed as morning line favorite in the fourth division while Putnams Finesse and Camco Wineette will battle it our for top spot in the final division on the card.
Victory Creed and driver Brian Andrew will headline the Thursday night feature. The son of Artiscape, owned by Bill Andrew, Calgary, Alberta, will go up against Coors Life, Buck Barker, Whos Smiling Now, Yankee Sun, Negrito, Sammy’s Luck and Sounding.
The Maritime Recreation Conference will present the evening’s 6th race. The field includes Stracor off the rail for driver Marc Campbell. The field is full of talent and racing analysts believe Distantiv Lewy (3-1) with Ron Gass and AH Whata Night from the Trevor Hicken stable have a shot of taking top prize.