By Diane Daniels
David MacDonald's Soul Chaser, coming off a brisk 1:58 flat victory, is considered the horse to beat in Sunday's top class (Race 11) at Truro Raceway.
Ross Toole's Saulsbrook Quick, Sue Karrel's Dreams Matter and Kenny Greene's St. Lads Dagwood are also listed as contenders in the $1,225 seven-horse field.
Although up in class, Paul Gray's Cereal Lover, with the rail post and a perfect trip, could be a threat in the top three.
The race will be missing a few local regular contenders as they get set to compete in tonight's $20,000 Governor's Plate final in Summerside.
Post-time for tomorrow's 12-dash card is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with qualifying rounds on tap for noon.
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Hollis White cashed in on a successful Sunday last weekend as 32-year-old teamster Ryan Ellis put down a pair of valiant stretch drives, sending both MM Lass and Miss Miss Miss Fit to the winner's circle for the first time in 2012.
White purchased this dynamic pair of mares out of previous NSPE yearling sales. Also coming out of Truro's Select Sale is Autumn Gottem, the three-year-old son of Presidential Ball, who posted a brisk 2:00 win in his first lifetime start for trainer/driver Darren Crowe and prominent Nova Scotia owner Robert ‘Sonny' Siteman.
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Ellis, Truro's 2011 driving champion, tops the Driver Standings with 29 victories, including last Sunday's five-win performance.
Darren Crowe holds down second spot on the leader board with 17 wins while Ernie Laffin, despite being sidelined by a track accident, has accumulated 15 wins to date.
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Enjoying the thrill of sponsoring a special race in the month of June, avid harness racing enthusiast Francois ‘Frenchy' Thibeau is returning to donate a summer sheet tomorrow for the winning connections of Race 7.
Handicappers are picking Lloyd Nelson's Whistys Pride, Robin Clark's Nane Dee or Jennifer McGean's Biffle as possibles to pick up the hardware.
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Three of Truro's invitational performers have earned a berth in tonight's $20,000 Governors Plate Final being held at the historic Red Shores Summerside Raceway.
Leaving off the rail is Paul Gray's Oakmont in line with winning teamster Danny Romo while Barbara Pearl's Maritimer lines up in post five with Mary Clare MacDonald at the controls. Dr. James Shive's P H Bestman with Fredericton reinsman Todd Trites getting the call is also competing.
Post-time in Summerside is slated for 6 p.m. with the entire 16-dash program being televised live via satellite at Truro Raceway.
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Partnering with Greenhawk-Truro, the Atlantic Grand Circuit Week Committee will be hosting an open house on July 28, which will serve as an introduction for new race-goers as well as a refresher for long-time fans.
Activities will include guided tours of the entire complex including the grandstand and stable area, a display board of harness horse equipment and rides in a double seated jog cart with a standardbred.
The parimutuel staff will organize the horse players interactive kiosk, providing information on how to read the race-program, determine favourites and place a wager.
A complimentary BBQ along with a meet and greet of drivers, trainers and owners will round out this fresh and informative event.
Standardbred Canada's ‘I Love Canadian Harness Racing' will be on hand offering draws for prizes and race programs. The open house is scheduled to run from 3 to 5 p.m.
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Race goers who delight in the enjoyment and excitement of racing under the stars and under the lights will soon be able to experience the rush of a few evenings of ‘night racing.'
Atlantic Grand Circuit Week includes three nights of harness racing with programs scheduled for July 24, July 26 and July 28 with a 7 p.m. post time.
A complete schedule is available online at www.truroraceway.ca.
DIANE DANIELS is the race office supervisor at Truro Raceway.
