SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The 16 finest pacers that call Canada’s Eastern Seaboard home will go hoof-to-hoof Sunday afternoon in eliminations for the prestigious Governor’s Plate at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
With 12 dashes on tap for the Sunday program beginning at 1 p.m., the two $5,000 Township Chev/Noonan Petroleum Governor’s Plate eliminations will populate the final two dashes of the program.
Race 11 will see eight potential Governor’s Plate finalists face off for the first four spots in next Saturday’s final that will mark the completion of Governor’s Plate Week racing.
Down On My Luck controls the rail in that contest with Jason Hughes in the bike for trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Robert Woodburn of St. Thomas, Ont. The pacer has scored three wins this season but has yet to hit the winner’s circle in three tries in P.E.I.
Defending Governor’s Plate champion Czar Seelster will leave from Post 5 in the first elimination for the championship combo of driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Todd Weatherbee. Maritime season record holder All Artist (Mike McGuigan) has Post 3 while hard-hitting invitational pacer Euchred (David Dowling) is saddled with Post 8.
The field also includes: Hes Marvalous (Myles Heffernan Sr.), JJ Powerball (Adam Merner), Soccer Hanover (Corey MacPherson) and Burn Out Hanover (Gilles Barrieau).
Rose Run Quest and Bugsy Maguire will have another showdown in the second Governor’s Plate elimination in Race 12.
The pair has raced against each other twice with each winning one. Rose Run Quest has Post 2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. Owner Walter Simmons has searched for a win in his hometown race for years and the Summerside resident will have Bugsy Maguire look for a spot in the final from Post 4. Heffernan is in the bike behind the Cecil Ladner memorial champion for trainer Wade Sorrie.
Screen Test will guard the rail for Corey MacPherson while Noudidnt Blue Chip (Dowling) rides a three-race win streak into Post 3.
Other entrants are Half Cut (Mark Bradley), Do Over Hanover (Jason Hughes), Doctor Royal (Todd Trites) and Revenant (Merner).
The program will also see a pair of Governor’s Plate open mares eliminations in Races 6 and 9, each carrying a $3,000 purse.
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
