CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Island harness racing is cranking up into full gear.
Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP) had its first mid-week program Thursday evening and Saturday night racing continues at 6 p.m. Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway kicks off its 2019 season on Monday afternoon for a special Victoria Day program at 1 p.m.
Doctor Royal has been dominating the preferred class at the CDP for the combination of driver Gilles Barrieau and owner-trainer Dawn Ellis Abbott of Truro, N.S. The pacer was purchased from Rideau Carleton Raceway outside Ottawa and has been perfect since making the trek east.
Doctor Royal is assigned the outside Post 5 in the field of as many Saturday in accordance with a new Red Shores rule. It dictates horses racing in top overnight events – open trot, open mares pace and preferred pace – will draw the outside after winning that race in two straight weeks and will stay there until they are defeated. Mick Dundee was closing the gap on Doctor Royal in their latest contest and gets rail control Saturday.
Canada Wide
Kingston native James MacDonald joined an elite group of Islanders on Monday evening as he registered his 2,000th career victory.
MacDonald steered Fast N First to victory in a $19,000 event at Woodbine Mohawk Park for trainer Blake MacIntosh as part of a four-win performance on the toughest circuit in Canadian racing.
MacDonald is the defending world driving champion after winning the championship in 2017 in Canada, culminating in the final leg at the CDP during Old Home Week. He gets to defend his title starting next week in Sweden as he represents the World Trotting Association. With MacDonald as reigning champion, Canada gets to send another representative, with Doug McNair earning that honour at the National Driving Championship last fall in Ontario.
The first leg of the World Driving Championship (WDC) will be on Friday, May 24, at Solvalla Raceway in Sweden with three races on Friday and one race on Saturday, May 25. The famed Elitloppet will be held for the best trotters in the world on Sunday, May 26, at Solvalla and no races will be held for the WDC.
The third leg will be at Lindesbergs Fornaboda on May 27 with five races, followed by five more on May 28 at Sundbyholm in Eskilstuna. An additional five races at Dalatravet Rättvik go May 29 with the sixth leg and final event of the weeklong competition going postward at Gävle on Friday, May 31, with five more races.
P.E.I. Scene
My condolences to the family of Johnny Doyle on his recent passing. The 89-year-old Tignish resident was a lifelong participant in Island racing as a trainer, driver, owner and farrier. Known as an avid storyteller and personality, Doyle made his last start as a trainer in October at the Summerside Raceway. May he rest in peace.
Nick's Picks
Saturday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park:
Race 1 - Fern Hill Dynamic
Race 2 - Fly With Max
Race 3 - Whipple Effect
Race 4 - Silverhill Buddy
Race 5 - Tobinator
Race 6 - Sodwana Bay
Race 7 - Three Truths
Race 8 - Doctor Royal
Race 9 - Zero Rate
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
