A scrappy campaigner will close out his blue-collar career on Sunday (Dec. 3) afternoon during the 15-dash card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Everyone stepping onto the track at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday night (July 7) had to contend with the reinsman-training team of Robert Shepherd and Isabelle Darveau as the pair shone through the 10-race card, capitalized by a 1:54.1 win in the $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot by Black Tie Bash.
Late-charging Dontpokethedragon raised the pressure on tempo-setter Tiempo Hanover, but the seven-year-old Western Ideal gelding passed the beam just in time to take the $8,100 Open Pace at Century Downs on Tuesday (July 20).
Trainer-driver Brandon Campbell took command with Tiempo Hanover, pocketing even-money favourite Icy Blue Scooter to a :27.2 first quarter. Armycaptin Hanover angled first over passing the stands first time and carried Dontpokethedragon into contention through a :56.3 half and towards three-quarters in 1:24. Tiempo Hanover maintained control around the final turn as Dontpokethedragon sprung off cover and rallied in the straightaway. But Tiempo Hanover had enough left in the tank to keep a nose in front at the end of a 1:53 mile. Icy Blue Scooter finished third.