Driver Adam Merner showcased his skills on Saturday during the Gold division harness racing events of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park, clinching five wins throughout the eventful day, including four in the Gold divisions.
In the afternoon's $18,300 Gold division for two-year-old pacing fillies, Lady Hess (Heston Blue Chip) from the Jamie Smith stable dominated, finishing a remarkable 13 lengths ahead in a time of 1:56.3 for owner Groupof7 Stable. Jafetica (Myles Heffernan Sr.) and My Happy Place (Gilles Barrieau) rounded out the top three.
Merner's winning streak continued into the evening, where he guided Downtown Tonight (Shanghai Phil) to victory in the $18,100 sophomore filly dash, clocking in at 1:56.1. This race was a highlight for trainer Tommy Weatherbie, who secured three wins that day, while Cam and Gordon MacPhee owned the winning horse.
Merigo Magic (Tobago Cays), driven by Merner, triumphed in the $17,720 Gold division for three-year-old pacing colts, finishing as the heavy favourite with a time of 1:54.3. Trainer Melissa Rennie celebrated her own success, training two winners that day, while the horse was owned by Mike May, Herman McQuaid, Derrick Cameron, and Ian Walker. Jack Boswall (Marc Campbell) took second, followed by Check Your Chip (Heffernan Sr.).
Another standout performance from Merner came aboard Miss Dutton (Rollwithitharry), who won her $18,100 Gold division for three-year-old pacing fillies in a time of 1:56.4, representing trainer Kuri White. She finished ahead of Miss Wicked (MacPherson) and Starship Beauty (David Dowling), marking one of two wins for trainer White.
Marc Campbell was also a dominant force throughout the day, claiming six victories, including a win in the $20,000 Gold division for two-year-old pacing colts with Phil My Beer (Shanghai Phil), defeating the tenacious One Wicked Man (Kenny Arsenault) in 1:58.2. This colt is co-owned by Brady Doyle, Ryan MacLeod, Kent MacDonald, and Brent Campbell.
Muchtooyoungforyou (Flameproof Hanover) triumphed in another $18,300 Gold division for two-year-old pacing fillies, finishing in 2:00.4, securing a win for trainer Earl Watts and owners Windemere Farms, River Valley Management, and Matt Burke.
In the other $20,000 rookie colt Gold division, Malevolent (Malicious) rose to the occasion with Prince Malicious (Jason Hughes) and Abiding Art (Arsenault) completing the top three.
Jackies Boy (Tobago Cays) comfortably won his $17,720 sophomore pacing colt Gold division in 1:54.1 for owner-trainer Myles Heffernan Jr., beating Allaboutthecash (Barrieau) and Pauls Crown (Marc Campbell).
Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil) emerged victorious in another $17,720 Gold division for three-year-old pacing colts with a time of 1:54.1, contributing to five wins for driver Hughes and two for trainer Ashley Gamester. Little Leroy (Merner) secured second place, followed by Reassurance (MacPherson).
In a surprising turn, First Filly Chip (Arthur Blue Chip) claimed victory in her $18,100 Gold division for three-year-old pacing fillies in 1:56, ahead of Fern Hill Indigo (Brodie MacPhee) and Eenymeenyminymoe (Hughes), representing trainer White and owned by the East Coast Captains Stable of Cornwall.
The Atlantic Aged Pacing Mares Series, presented by Standardbred Canada, saw victories by Shesonebadmomma (Barrieau) in 1:55 and Pasta Momma (Marc Campbell) in 1:54, both showcasing exceptional talent.
Additionally, Bee Two Bee clinched the $8,500 Reliable Motors Richard Campbell Memorial Invitational for aged pacers in 1:52.4, driven by Hughes, with support from trainer Gamester and owners Donald MacRae and Blair MacLauchlan. Wind Blown also made a mark in the other $8,500 Richard Campbell Invitational split, finishing in 1:53.
Live racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown on Monday evening at 6 p.m.