For the first time in the history of Standardbred Canada’s Drivers Racing Challenge, Truro Raceway will be hosting an event showcasing the best of the east.
The challenge concept features eight dashes with each driver starting from each of the eight positions with points being awarded based on their finishing spot. However, tonight, any of the contesting teamsters who also are trainers will be allowed to drive up to three of their stable stock in the challenge, regardless of position.
The top two point earners will advance to the National Driving Championship Sept. 26 in Grand River.
Post-time is 6:30 p.m. Qualifying rounds are on tap for 5:15 p.m.
Meet the Drivers
TODD TRITES, N.B. – 11,456 lifetime drives, 2,220 wins, approximately $3.5 million in purse earnings. First win came in 1991 at his home track of Fredericton with his father’s horse Angels Class.
GILLES BARRIEAU, PEI – 18,990 lifetime drives, 4326 wins, over $8.5 million in purse earnings. Most memorable drive in the sport came in 1997 winning the Red Shores Charlottetown Gold Cup and Saucer with Comedy Hour.
JASON HUGHES, PEI – 8,481 lifetime drives, 1,312 wins, over $2.2 million dollars in purse earnings. His first lifetime drive and most memorable moment are one in the same – winning with his grandfather’s horse, Sample Girl, in 1993.
KEN MURPHY, PEI – 5,913 lifetime drives, 604 wins, over $1 million in purse earnings. Ken’s most memorable drive came on Jan. 1, 2000, winning a two-mile race at Red Shores Charlottetown, carrying a purse of $2,000 with Boyd White’s Dancerella.
MARC CAMPBELL, PEI – 9,624 life time drives, 2,013 wins, $4.435 million in purse earnings. His most memorable drive was 2013, winning the Gold Cup and Saucer with Escape The News out of the Burke Racing Stable.
DARREN CROWE, NS – 7,512 lifetime drives, 1,186 wins, over $1.9 million in purse earnings. Crowe’s most memorable win came in 2004 when his mount, Chief Happy Sac, the longest shot on the board, captured Truro’s $7,500 Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Cup.
REDMOND DOUCET, N.S. – 2,685 lifetime drives, 557 wins, over $589,000 in purse earnings. Most memorable win for Redmond was in 2008, capturing the $25,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown for three year old colts in Charlottetown with a colt he raised himself, a son of Mantwo, Kaptain N Keiths.
GERARD KENNEDY, N.S. – 2,662 lifetime starts, 439 wins, over $282,000 in purse earnings. Most memorable moment was winning the J.A. Ferguson Pace in North Sydney in 2007 with his dad’s pacer, Cloaked In Glory.
Chase the Ace
The Ace of Spade was drawn. Bob Standing drew the illusive card last Sunday at the Truro Horsemen’s Club to win the jackpot of $ 40,634. He shared it with other members of his group Diane Lindsay, Wanda Ash and Shelley Crowe.
Chase the Ace draw will return in September. Until then, a 50-50 draw will be held during live race programs.
Top of the Turn Diner
June 29 – Quarter chicken dinner, $15.95
Lobster roll, $17.95
Both dinners include tea/coffee and dessert
Hot summer
July 19, 20, 21 and 22 – Atlantic Grand Circuit Week
Holiday race card at EPR
Folks looking for racing entertainment on July 2 will be able to take in the action from St. John, N.B. Exhibition Park Raceway will be hosting an afternoon card, featuring the $5,000 Walter Dale Memorial, $2,000 Canada Day Pace and Milton Downy Memorial for two-year-old pacing fillies and colts. Post-time is 1 p.m.
Diane Daniels is a Standardbred Canada field representative.
