CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Sitting on a pair of runner-up finishes since moving barns, Mantario will seek the top spot in tonight’s pacing feature at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The Thursday evening program features a full slate of 14 dashes with the $2,900 featured pace lining up in Race 13.
Mantario leaves from Post 3 in the field of seven with David Dowling in the seat for co-owner and trainer Jennifer Doyle and co-owner Danny Birt of Earnscliffe. Doyle and Birt purchased the four-year-old son of Sportswriter a month ago and have campaigned him to a pair of second-place finishes while rallying from off-the-pace. Cowboy Logic has Post 2 in the feature as he looks for his 10th win of the season for driver Steven Shepherd and trainer Harold Shepherd. Governor’s Plate consolation winner Soccer Hanover will leave from Post 6 with Corey MacPherson at the lines of the hard-closing son of Dragon Again for trainer Leith Waite.
The far outside Post 7 belongs to Brandons Glory riding a two-race win streak into the event for the team of driver Dale Spence and trainer MacKenzie MacInnis.
Peter MacPhee has Mantario on top of his Thursday selections in his Post Time Picks.
“Mantario has been razor sharp in his last two just missing both times. He’ll likely be coming from the back and with the way he can finish could come calling late and get the gold.”
Other featured entrants are Burn Out Hanover (Gilles Barrieau), Best To Hurst (Jason Hughes), and Rockin Indy (Adam Merner).
Mile Hill Willie headlines the open trot in Race 9. The $2,400 class has Brodie MacPhee picking up the catch drive on Mile Hill Willie for trainer Paul Morrison as the Armbro Barrister stallion searches for his fourth open trot victory. Barrieau, Mile Hill Willie’s regular driver, will steer his own trainee, Cheeky Little Minx, from Post 4, fresh off a 1:58.4 victory last week in Charlottetown. Post 3 belongs to Freddie with Marc Campbell at the lines after an 11-length romp last week down one class on the ladder.
– Compiled by Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores.
