CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The top pacers in East Coast racing are just part of the show as Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP) rings in the New Year.
The special Sunday New Year's Eve program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a 14-dash card on tap with Red Shores offering shuttle service from the Park Street parking lot to the main entrance every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 p.m.
Rose Run Quest will headline the special presentation in the Race 13 preferred pace as the final scheduled drive of Marc Campbell's historic 2017 season. The Campbell trained and driven pacers rides a three-race win streak into Post 6 in the $2,400 New Year's Eve Pace for owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown.
Campbell has been setting records on all fronts with the most lucrative training season in Atlantic Canadian racing history in both wins and earnings, as well as the highest purse earnings ever by a driver on the East Coast. He also broke his own CDP record of 144 wins from the 2016 season. He has 156 victories in Charlottetown during 2017, with 249 total victories across the region, the second highest number ever attained in Atlantic Canadian racing history.
The 'King' of Island racing, Campbell is listed to drive in 11 races in the 2017 finale as he looks to pad his impressive numbers.
Rose Run Quest goes into the New Year's Eve Pace as the morning line favourite but has to overcome the outer post of the six-horse field, including the return of Adkins Hanover (Corey MacPherson), who was absent from action on Boxing Day.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees a high probability of Rose Run Quest adding to his win streak.
“Had Rose Run Quest's latest race been a fight it might have been stopped, that’s how easily he won,” he said. “He’s now sitting on three straight and still has only been off the board once since Old Home Week. Hard to go against form like that.”
Other entries include Jeb (Jason Hughes), Woggy Rocks (Gary Chappell), Czar Seelster (Todd Weatherbee) and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie).
Other top attractions on the program include the top pacing mares battling in Race 11 and the Alpine Pace featured in Race 4 with Woodmere Articblue and Campbell the morning line favourite.
The Johnny Oliver Band will be in the house playing live music for the New Year's Eve celebrations.
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
