The final three spots for the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer

In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the excitement builds as the final three spots for the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final, presented by Atlantic Lottery, will be determined on Monday evening, August 12. The event takes place at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino during the celebrated Old Home Week harness racing festival.

The 14-race card on Monday starts at 6 PM, with the $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trial 3 set as the grand finale in Race 14. This trial will decide which three horses will join the final field, completing the lineup for the prestigious event.

Rocks Shining Star emerges as the favourite in Trial 3. With Jason Hughes in the sulky, the five-year-old gelding, trained by Jamie Smith for owner Thestable.ca, is poised to continue his impressive season. Rocks Shining Star has already notched five wins this year, amassing over $150,000 in earnings. His most recent victory was a dominant 1:51.1 performance at the Open level at The Meadows in Pennsylvania, with Stable.ca founder Anthony MacDonald driving. MacDonald notably won the Gold Cup and Saucer in 2022 with Sintra.

Joining Rocks Shining Star in the trial is Heaven On High N, another entry from the Smith stable. Brett MacDonald will drive the 15-time winner, who recently finished second in the $75,000 Beckwith Pace at Plainridge Park in Massachusetts, starting from post 3.

Smooth Lou, the 2021 Gold Cup and Saucer champion, is back in action from post 6 with trainer-driver Corey MacPherson. Smooth Lou enters this race fresh off a 1:53.3 victory at Red Shores Summerside.

Making his Island debut is High Voltage Deo, trained by Brendan Curran for new owners Alby Curran and the High Voltage Deo Group. Adam Merner has been given the driving duties for this exciting newcomer.

Island Beach Boy, driven by Brodie MacPhee and trained by Tom Weatherbie, will start from post 2. Bob Loblaw brings a three-race win streak into post 4, driven by Dale Spence for trainer Ken Middleton. Southwind Sambucca, shipping in from Woodbine Mohawk Park, will leave from post 5 under the guidance of Marc Campbell for trainer Victor Puddy. Lastly, Larry Karr is set to start from post 8, driven by Austin Sorrie and trained by Dean Nixon.

In this competitive Trial 3 field, only driver Marc Campbell and trainers Jamie Smith and Dean Nixon have previously tasted victory in the prestigious Gold Cup and Saucer final.

Adding to the excitement, the program also includes the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, featuring a $28,460 A-division in Race 11 and four $6,000 B-divisions in Races 4, 7, 9, and 13.