AT THE TRACK: Big weekend for P.E.I. fair finals

The standardbred pacers will face off Sunday at Red Shores Summerside. 
The 13-race presentation gets under way at 1 p.m.
 
Fair finals
The P.E.I. fair finals will be contested this weekend at both Island tracks. Charlottetown will host a pair of finals – for the first time that I can remember – on Saturday as non-wagering events. Sunday, the competition continues with the remaining finals here in Summerside. 
It’s nice to see Charlottetown included in the actual racing to give some of the participants the chance to race on the main Maritime track.
Young Chris MacRae will get his first Charlottetown call, and will truck up to Summerside to finish off the matinee finals. Good luck to all!
 
Dowling dominates
A relatively new member of the Island’s driving colony, David Dowling, had back-to-back career weekends, winning five races in Summerside for two consecutive weeks. Only for a disqualification in the final race last week, Mr. Dowling would have had six winners.
We all have our opinions and that’s fine. However, in my 41 years in the booth, I never saw two drivers circle in front of the grandstand awaiting a decision from the judges. They have always been held on the backstretch away from fan interaction. My other “pet peeve” is why don’t the racing officials ever talk to those involved?
I must have been asked that question a dozen times. . . food for thought!
 
The sale
The Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale is fast approaching. The Crapaud Agri-Plex has become an excellent home for this event, with perfect stabling and seating.
Allison Smith and yours truly are back on the podium as auctioneer and pedigree personnel. The sale is on Friday, Oct. 5, with Mr. Smith’s gavel falling on hip No. 1 shortly after 2 p.m.
The Island sale is the only yearling sale this year, and around 125 colts and fillies will be offered for sale. If this sale is anything like last year’s, history will be made in surpassing $1 million in sales.
 
Cape Breton bound
The final stop for the Atlantic Sire Stakes this season is in North Sydney, N.S., at Northside Downs on Saturday. It’s the final chance for the two-year-old pacing fillies and colts to earn points to make the Atlantic Breeders Crown on Thanksgiving weekend in Charlottetown. 
Tickets for the dinner are sure to go fast, and it always entertains a sold-out audience.
 
Battle of the best
Invitational pacers return to the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday as $3,500 is on the line for a group of five bearcats.
Summerside-stabled Euchred is the best on the East Coast right now. Trainer Terry Gallant continues to do an amazing job with this horse. 
Literally, all season long, this horse has come to play every night. He started and won on the opening-day card in Charlottetown in April, continues to be in the winner’s circle and it’s almost Thanksgiving. It takes a special horse, good conditioning and great management to be a force on this tough Maritime circuit. Congratulations!

Picks
A look at Sunday’s picks:
Best bets – Agedcheddar Hanover in Race 2, and Howmac Sabrina in Race 4.
Long shot possibilities – Toad River in Race 1, and Just A Professor in Race 13.

Vance Cameron is the track announcer in Summerside and Charlottetown. Comments and suggestions can be sent to [email protected].