Riders are going to be challenged at Northside Downs

On Saturday, August 3, Northside Downs will showcase top Atlantic Sires Stakes competitors, featuring two-year-old and three-year-old trotters, along with two-year-old fillies and colts.

In the two-year-old trotting divisions, purses of $12,320 are up for grabs in Races 1 and 3. Morning line favourites are Mike McGuigan-trained trotters: Supreme Rockette (Post 2, Race 1) and the undefeated Oceanview Nikki (Post 1, Race 3).

The three-year-old trotters will race for a $23,440 purse in Race 5. Rocket Blast, trained by Carl Bagnall and driven by Corey MacPherson, is the favourite from the rail following a P.E.I. Colt Stakes win. Oceanview Daisy (Myles Heffernan Sr.) from Post 4 and Dusty Lane Wee (Marc Campbell) in Post 6 are also top contenders.

Two divisions of 'A' fillies will compete in Races 7 and 11, each for a purse of $11,640. Saulsbrook Inferno (David Dowling) is favoured in the first division from Post 3 for trainer Earl Watts. Woodmere Flojo (Adam Merner) leads the second division from Post 4, trained by Jamie Smith. Both fillies have one win and one-second place in previous Sires Stakes legs.

In the 'A' divisions for two-year-old colts, purses of $12,300 are on offer in Races 2 and 9. Undefeated Im Sir Scarlet, trained and driven by Darryl MacLean, aims to extend his winning streak from Post 5 in the second division.

Additionally, there will be three 'B' divisions—two for colts and one for fillies—each racing for $6,000.

The card will also feature the Gamester – Pinkney Memorial Cup driving challenge, for drivers aged 30 or younger with fewer than 100 lifetime wins as of May 31, 2024. Seven drivers from Nova Scotia will compete in Races 6 and 10, with the top four advancing to the final on August 27 at Summerside Raceway. The winner will be awarded a spring-summer suit sponsored by Wendy MacRae Custom Suits. The Nova Scotia participants include Ryder Rennison, Keith Legge, Damian MacLellan, Zach Mullins, Brett LeBlanc, Monica Sutherland, and Keigan Madden.