CHARLOTTETOWN – Oh To Be Me has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving for owner-trainer-driver Gary Chappell as the pacer captured the $2,350 feature event at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday night.
The son of Fit For Life was sent away at 8-1 odds, stalking in the three-hole as Perfect Escape (driven by Ron Matheson) set the fractions and heavily-favoured Red Magician (Adam Merner) sat in the pocket. The splits were tripped in 29.1, 57.3 and 1:26.1, before a stretch drive slugfest with Oh To Be Me coming out on top in 1:55.2, just one-fifth off his lifetime best. Perfect Escape was second while Red Magician finished third.
Hot start
Driver Ken Murphy opened up the program by winning the first three races. The Harrington reinsman won the opener with Force Seelster in 1:59.1 for his father and trainer, Clifford Murphy, followed by wins with Sharks Play in 1:59.3 for trainer Kristina McCourt of Kensington and Howmacs Dragonator in 1:58.1 for Raymond White of Wood Islands.
Trainer Melissa Rennie scored two wins on the program, winning the $2,100 back-up pace with Likely To Win in 1:55.4 and a $1,500 class with newcomer Revenant in 1:57.2. Merner was in the driver’s seat for both visits to the historic Red Shores Charlottetown winner’s circle.
Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
Results
Results of Saturday night’s harness racing card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park:
Race 1
Force Seelster (K. Murphy) 18.80 7.80 3.70
Sanchez Blue (A. Merner) 2.30 2.30
American Captain (W. Cheverie) 4.10.
Times: 29, 59.1, 1:29.2, 1:59.1. Also ran: Threestepstoheaven, Beechwood Tiger, Dixie Flyer, All Access, J J Antonio.
Winning horse owned by Clifford Murphy, Brackley.
Exactor 5-4 – $77.70
Triactor 5-4-1 – $294.40
Superfecta 5-4-1-6 – $395.00
Race 2
Sharks Play (K. Murphy) 4.50 2.50 2.10
Desired Treasure (G. Hennessey) 3.60 2.20
Windsun Rebel (A. Merner) 2.10.
Times: 29.1, 59.1, 1:30.1, 1:59.3. Also ran: Da Old Bu Meteor, Solanos Dragon, C J Bluefin, Hopedale Paris.
Winning horse owned by James Barlow, Angela Barlow, Jennifer Barlow, Summerside.
Exactor 4-1 – $8.20
Triactor 4-1-6 – $15.00
Superfecta 4-1-6-7 – $19.25
Daily Double 5-4 – $15.40
Race 3
Howmacs Dragonator (K. Murphy) 8.90 4.80 2.50
Libertys Choice (G. Chappell) 8.10 2.50
Artners In Crime (D. Neill) 2.10.
Times: 29.1, 58.1, 1:28.4, 1:58.1. Also ran: Dustylanekazaam, Dees Boy, Miramonttogo.
Winning horse owned by Selkirk Stable, Belfast.
Exactor 4-5 – $38.70
Triactor 4-5-1 – $77.00
Superfecta 4-5-1-2 – $79.05
Race 4
Rockys World (G. Chappell) 14.30 5.10 4.10
Shock The Rock (B. Webster) 13.00 4.00
Fly With Max (A. Merner) 2.70
Times: 28.3, 58.2, 1:28.3 1:58.2. Also ran: Woodmere Soul, Textually Active, Hemingway, Miramichi David.
Winning horse owned by Darla Jay, Charlottetown-Shelly Wilkie, Stratford.
Exactor 6-1 – $150.75
Triactor 6-1-7 – $741.00
Superfecta 6-1-7-4 – Not Sold
Race 5
Shaker Maker (R. DesRoche) 9.70 4.80 2.80
Camco Wily (N. Myers) 5.40 4.60
Way Over (W. Cheverie) 2.10
Times: 30.2, 1:01.4, 1:32.3, 2:02.2. Also ran: Something Royal, Beach Cloud, Docthethird.
Winning Horse owned by Michael MacDonald, Vernon Bridge-Gwr Visser Farm, Orwell.
Exactor 7-2 – $52.50
Triactor 7-2-5 – $260.60
Superfecta 7-2-5-6 – $263.50.
Race 6
Red Dirt Rebel (D. Dowling) 4.10 2.50 2.80
Gringo Star (K. Murphy) 5.20 3.30
Dusty Lane Artiste (A. Merner) 5.60
Times: 29.3, 1:00.1, 1:30.1, 1:59.1. Also ran: Sinnersinparadise, Stonebridge Grand, Real Amaretti, Brandons Last.
Winning horse owned by Windemere Farms, P.E.I., Rene Allard, PA., F. Ian Smith, P.E.I, Clive Balderston, N.B.
Exactor 4-2 – $18.90
Triactor 4-2-7 – $182.60
Superfecta 4-2-7-6 – $38.70
Race 7
Likely To Win (A. Merner) 8.00 4.60 3.20
Heart And Soul (W. Cheverie) 4.30 3.10
Collective Wisdom (R. Matheson) 4.90
Times: 28.1, 56.2, 1:26.4, 1:55.4. Also ran: Jackson K Down, Tempo Seelster, Outrageous Spirit, Big Surf.
Winning horse owned by Blenise Young, Lester Campbell, N.S., Jeffrey Campbell, Alta.
Exactor 5-4 – $27.90
Triactor 5-4-6 – $557.80
Superfecta 5-4-6-7 – $133.01
Race 8
Revenant (A. Merner) 4.40 4.70 3.40
Eyes Of Glory (H. Shepherd) 12.60 3.90
Caughtfoolinaround (D. Dowling) 2.90.
Times: 28.4, 58.3, 1:28.3, 1:57.2. Also ran: Jetster, Silverhill Buddy, Jetta Flys, Celebrate Your Bet, Cabo Pan Lucas.
Winning horse owned by Kyla MacDonald, Stanhope, Owen Livingstin, Cornwall.
Exactor 6-All – $4.20
Triactor 6-1-4 – $411.20
Superfecta – Carry Over
Race 9
The Big Bite (W. Cheverie) 7.20 2.10 2.10
Slide Guitar (D. Dowling) 2.10 2.40
Mick Dundee (D. MacNeill) 2.30 3.40
Times: 28.4, 58.1, 1:27.4, 1:57.1. Also ran: Malabrigo, Harbourlite Jerry, Casimir Obama, Three Truths.
Winning horse owned by John Arsenault, Estate of Donna McIver, Edward Blaisdell, P.E.I., Deborah Wilson, N.S.
Exactor 3-4 – $8.20
Exactor 3-5 – $21.70
Triactor 3-4-5 – $22.80
Triactor 3-5-4 – $31.80
Superfecta 3-4-5-1 – $52.70
Superfecta 3-5-4-1 – $81.90
Race 10
Oh To Be Me (G. Chappell) 18.40 4.50 2.40
Perfect Escape (R. Matheson) 9.10 3.90
Red Magician (A. Merner) 2.20
Times: 29.1, 57.3, 1:26.1, 1:55.2. Also ran: Zero Rate, Give Em Heck, Rockin Indy.
Winning horse owned by Gary Chappell, Charlottetown.
Exactor 6-2 – $91.20
Triactor 6-2-1 – $207.70
Superfecta 6-2-1-3 – $53.61
Pick 3 6-All-6 – $11.80
Race 11
Southwind Ricardo (W. Cheverie) 4.80 3.20 2.40
Twin B Shadow (D. Neil) 18.00 5.20
Mach Of Ballykeel (G. Chappell) 2.50
Times: 29.4, 59.4, 1:30.2, 1:59.4. Also ran: Political Crisis, Colossal Killean, Whosurwinner, All Turain, Smiley Bayama.
Winning horse owned by Ronald Seymour Jr, Glace Bay, N.S., Joel Le Blanc, Victoria Mines, N.S.
Exactor 3-1 – $62.60
Triactor 3-1-2 – $112.40
Superfecta 3-1-2-4 – $107.10
Daily Double 6-3 – $40.40
Total wager – $34,669
