Colts, fillies compete for spots in rich finals

The top three-year-old pacing fillies and colts will converge at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday for Maritime Breeders elimination action. The eliminations feature two divisions for the sophomore colts and two divisions for the sophomore fillies, with the top four from each race making next week’s rich finals. First-race post time for the 12-dash program is 6 p.m. The first $3,000 elimination lines up in Race 5. Divisional leader Tobins Terror, with trainer-driver Gary Chappell at the controls, is shouldered with Post 8 in a field that includes the talented Royaltywestho from Post 5 for Walter Cheverie. Tobins Terror has been undefeated in stakes’ action so far this season for owners Boyd MacDonald Produce Ltd., of Crapaud and Daniel Ross of Belfast. The other $3,000 three-year-old pacing filly elimination has Maritime-champion Woodmere Ceilidh favoured from Post 4 in Race 9. The Clare MacDonald-trained and driven daughter of Articulator is owned by Chris Neville of Sydney, N.S., and has yet to taste defeat in three seasonal starts. Other top entries include Bettim Jackie (driven by Ken Murphy) and Woodmere Wyldstyle (Adam Merner).

First colt elimination

The first $3,000 three-year-old pacing colt elimination is in Race 7, and Half Cut will be the one to beat in the field of eight. Starting from Post 4, Half Cut will have regular pilot Mark Bradley at the lines for trainer Tom Weatherbie and owners Kyle and Joseph Gardiner, Michael Currie and Jerry MacKinnon. The track-recordholding son of Stonebridge Terror has been unbeaten so far in 2018 as he looks to find one of the top spots for next week’s final. Sock It Away is tied with Half Cut for purse earnings this season, but will have to wait another day for their much-anticipated showdown. Sock It Away is in the final elimination in Race 11 from the unfavourable Post 8 for driver Marc Campbell, trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. The Summerside Raceway track-record holder was a winner in 1:57 in his latest outing, but has to face The Colonel (Gilles Barrieau) from Post 4 fresh off a 1:56.3 victory.