The third leg of the Island Oceans Trot Challenge, sponsored by Burkie By The Bay Stables, will take place on Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The 12-race card kicks off at 6pm, with the $5,300 Island Oceans Trot leg headlining Race 10.
Irish Ray, a son of Muscle Through It, has drawn the rail and is the morning line favourite for trainer Landon Campbell and owner Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston. Adam Merner will be in the sulky, replacing the Atlantic Canadian champion's usual driver. Irish Ray enters the race following a 1:58.1 victory in his last outing, where New Legacy finished second.
New Legacy, driven by Jason Hughes, starts from post 2 for trainer Jennifer Doyle. Also in the competitive field are Labero (Gilles Barrieau), Tequila Tuesday (Myles Heffernan Sr.), Majian Tango (Ken Murphy), and Chasin Dreams (Marc Campbell).
The Post Time Picks favour New Legacy for the win, citing his strong recent performances from tough outside posts and the advantage of moving inside to post 2 this week.
In Race 5, the Town of Stratford Pace, Ill Tell Me Ma is the top selection from post 2, with Brett Leblanc driving for owner-trainer Scott Dunn of Montague.
The night’s feature race for fillies and mares, worth $3,200, is set for Race 11. Shake N Blake (David Dowling), newly added to the Doyle stable, will start from post 2 for owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe. The field also includes Rock N Roll Cays (Hughes), Dollys Sky (Kyle Desroche), Share The Moment (Marc Campbell), Tobins Future (Corey MacPherson), Outrageous Style (Barrieau), and Saulsbrook Feisty (Paul Langille).