Arsenault Has Career Night – PEI Racing Online, Sort Of
Horsetalk
By
Hal Hennessey
I’m sure your were either there, or you’ve seen Saturday night’s race results
from the ‘Charlottetown Driving Park’ by this time. To recap briefly, Kenny
Arsenault had a 4 bagger and won both the Maritime Breeder’s Filly and
Colt Final’s with Meridian Magic and Allbentouttashape respectively. Both
went away favorites on the board. Although the colt final had a small
question mark because of ABOS’s # 8 post position, once Arsenault made
the top, that was all she wrote. Paul Grey’s St Pete Star made it 2 in a row,
when he took the 1st Elimination of the Cecil Ladner in 1:55.3. He was
driven by Truro top gun Danny Romo. Island favorite Outlawpositivcharg
had trainer/driver Terry Gallant in his usual seat, as he won the 2 nd elim for
owner Fred Lamont. Cory MacPherson paid a nice win ticket ($12.60), when
he upset the Open Trot with Jaime Tierney’s Dusty Lane Shelby in 2:02.
Not going to say the bet was good for such a great card of racing, but it was
decent - $22,746
--------------------------------The story of the evening for me was the career night by Kenny Arsenault. As
someone pointed out recently, he’s one of the most underrated talents in the
Maritime’s and doesn’t get all the ink he deserves. Kenny looks to be on the
road again to another big year. He has $70K plus already in purse earnings
and has gone 26 - 19 – 18 in 163 starts. No doubt the ‘Magic’ filly and
Allbentouttashape will help his 2010 totals. The mare was bred by Barry
Martin and is owned by him and his partner Jim Gillis. The pride of Cape
Breton, she’s already 4 for 4 this year with $22,774 in purses earned. The
Dooley Boys of NB & NS own Allbentouttashape and he’s rapidly
becoming one of those legendary Maritime horses. It’s fueled of course by
the story of his misshapen nose and the question as to how did he even
survive at birth? He’s also undefeated this year and has gone 3 & O with
$18,065 in purses.
---------------------------------It was a good move when the Maritime Breeders decided to name the colt
final in honour of Doug Harkness. Fitting too, that he’s paired with his
buddy Ken Starrett, who’s name graces the Filly Final. My biggest
disappointment on the night was seeing Jeff Lilley’s Bettim Laura go offstride early in the Filly Stake. Jeff is one of those smalltimers who are the
backbone of the racing industry and I love to see guys like him do well.
Bettim Laura is a nice mare though and I’m sure she’ll bounce back. She’s
got 4 wins in 5 starts already this year and $11,661 in earnings. Lifetime she
and Jeff have already made $26,678 for owner and breeder Danny Purcell. I
look for her to be a force throughout the year in the 3 YO filly events.
Wanted to also mention the new kid on the block. Dave MacDonald’s This
Is Your Night had only just arrived from the US in time for the Ladner
eliminations. Looks like he’ll do though, finishing 2nd to St. Pete Star. He
was driven by Darren Crowe and paced his trip in :56.1. Top 4 in each
division made the Ladner Memorial Final, going for $5K added. So on
Saturday night, besides the Outlaw, Pete and TIYN, the other contenders
will be Mighty And Strong, Hilo, Pans O’Silver, BJ Cruiser and McHales
Gravy.
---------------------------------I’m not sure if the word got out in time, but Saturday’s race card from the
CDP was broadcast on the net. Better late than never I suppose, but c’mon other Maritme tracks have been online since the season opened. The powersthat-be have also announced a schedule for Internet race day shows, starting
this Saturday the 26th with the Ladner Memorial Finals. Other dates include
August 13, 14, 15 (post time 1pm), 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and Gold Cup night
August 21, as well as September 16. More dates are apparently to be
announced later. I certainly hope so! Still, I have to ask, why not all the
Island cards? And what about Summerside? Are the folks up west the black
sheep of the family? I just don’t get it. I think Atlantic Lotto is missing out
on a great way to promote Harness Racing on PEI. At any rate, when
available, view the online netcasts here www.harnessracingpei.com. Click
on the Video Stream link and follow the instructions.
Also thanks to our pal Mike Ellsworth, you can usually view replays of
Stake event etc. 24 hours after they have been shown online. All of course
are copyright protected. Go to the Maritime Classics website here
http://youtube.com/maritimeclassics. Mike also tells me that he’s launching
his newest version of MCs on June 27th. He has some great new material for
the Sunday specials throughout the summer. As always ShowTime is 9 PM!
------------------------------
Norris Rogers drove Seanne Lad to victory and a new win-race record in the
featured event at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway this past Wednesday
night.
Marc Campbell enjoyed a big night in the sulky, recording three driving
wins. He won with Tasteful Benka (2:06.3 – a maiden record), CCS DS
Dream (2:00) and Grayland Hill (1:59).
Rogers, Terry Gallant, Brian MacPhee and Mike Stevenson all made two
trips to the winner’s circle.
The wager was 9,702.
-------------------------------Somebeachsomewhere, the Schooner Stable of Truro’s pride and joy, not to
mention a Maritime living legend, has his first crop of foals on the ground.
Standing at Hanover Shoe Farms ‘The Beach’ bred a full book of mares in
his first season (2009) and again this year. We thought you’d enjoy a look at
one of the babies. Pictured is a stud colt out of Odds On Charmaine born
May 15th at Peninsula Farm in Kentucky. The dam is by Western Hanover.
Pretty trappy looking little guy, isn’t he?
----------------------------------Tip O’ The Whip this week to Todd Trites. Truro’s leading driver, he also
leads the Maritimes in wins thus far and had 5 more on the Sunday card for a
total of 34.
That’s it – Good luck and good racing.
Questions/Comments? hal.al@sympatico.ca