CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — After recording the fastest time amongst horses not making The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer, Avatar J will have to overcome another unfavourable post to win tonight’s James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation.
The 12-dash Friday evening card at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP) starts at 7 p.m. while the $20,000 Gold Cup and Saucer consolation lines up in Race 12.
Avatar J has drawn Post 6 in the field of seven with Gilles Barrieau, who celebrated his 4,500th career win Wednesday evening, in the bike. Jamie Copley of Ontario trains the son of American Ideal for owners Dean Larkin of Ontario but formerly of New Glasgow and Jody Sanderson of Cornwall. A top-class pacer at Rideau Carleton Raceway outside Ottawa, Avatar J paced in 1:53.2 finishing fifth in Trial 2 while failing to make the final.
Top Maritime invitational star Rose Run Quest leaves from Post 2 for driver Marc Campbell of Winsloe, who trains the pacers for Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. Doctor Royal (David Dowling) will again leave off the rail after pacing a solid 1:54.1 mile in his trial from Post 1.
The two breakers from each trial will look for redemption in the MacGregor consolation. Dreamfair BJ (Travis Cullen) has Post 3 after running in the first turn of Trial 2 and Make Some Luck (Jody Jamieson) is second favourite on the morning line after making a break at the half-mile marker in Trial 1.
The field also includes Brave World (Anthony MacDonald) and Levis Day (Robert Shepherd). Czar Seelster raced in the trials but did not enter for the consolation race.
The Friday card also includes a pair of $13,000 Lady Slipper gold divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies in Races 9 and 11. Howmac Sabrina (Dowling) is favoured in Race 9 over Emilys Angel (Kenny Arsenault) Elm Grove Nellie (Dale Spence).
Woodmere Oleksiak is the favourite riding a two-race win streak into Race 11 for Dowling with other top entries including Woodmere Tango (Clare MacDonald) and Woodmere Rio (Barrieau).
Afternoon
This afternoon’s program gets underway at 1 p.m. with 10 dashes carded featuring the Lady Slipper grassroots for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Related links:
• GOLD CUP AND SAUCER: Timing is everything
Nicholas Oakes is covering harness racing at Old Home Week for The Guardian, culminating with the Gold Cup and Saucer on Saturday. This is his 10th year covering Old Home Week for the news outlet.
