PEI Matinee Racetrack Development Project

Pinette Raceway was a little short of horses for their annual Kilted Pace but the crowd was huge, filling the grandstand, the picnic area and the parking area along the fence, and prompting Lowell Large to joke that there were more spectators than at the races in Charlottetown. It was especially gratifying to see all the campers pull in full of off-Islanders.
Ann MacNeill was taking pictures at Pinette and you can see her exceptional work at her website Sees The Moment. Another photographer present with a professional looking lens can be found on Facebook under Frankie L. All of which makes me embarrassed to put up my winner’s circle photos.

Little Ben with Stuart Tremere

Ann Shirley with Mark Cullen

Painted Pony with Raymond White

Bengal Lancer, with George McGuigan

Ponzie, with Jordan Hicken

Race 2 (sponsored by Greenhawk)
1. Ann Shirley, Own. Ted Smallwood, dr. Mark Cullen - 2:07.2
2. Perry, own. Perry Stables, dr. Trevor Hicken
3. Misty Fog, own/dr. Stuart Tremere
4. born A Islander, own. Phillip Valley, dr. Kuri White (celebrating his 21st birthday)

Race 3 (Conway Memorial)
1. Painted Pony, own/dr. Ray White - 2:04.3
2. Dunmore Chip, own. Ted Smallwood, dr. Mark Cullen
3. Seawind Amber, own. Walter Simmonds, dr. George MacGuigan
4. Sir Duncan, own. Lester White, dr. Kuri White

Race 4 (Stanley White Memorial)
1. Bengal Lancer, own. Walter Simmonds, dr. George MacGuigan - 2:04.4
2. Finns Lake, own. Chrissy Gillis, dr. Steve Kilbride
3. Louie, own. Alexis Gass, dr. Brett macDonald
4. Westend Girl, own/dr. Brandon Webster

Race 5 (Harry Coulson Memorial)
1. Ponzie, own. Hicken Stable, dr. Jordan Hicken - 2:01.3
2. Walton, own. MacRae Farms, dr. W. MacRae
3. Pegasus, own. MacDonald Stables, dr. Brett macDonald
4. Chronology, own. Whims Farms, dr. George MacGuigan

The fastest mile of the races at the Prince County Exhibition on Sunday was paced by Coors Life, owned by Jay Noye and driven to victory by Norris Rogers. This was Coors Life’s second consecutive win in the Harry O’ Brien Memorial, the winning driver receiving a trophy and the owner receiving a cooler and a set of harness. Jay Noye immediately donated the cooler to the Joe O’Brien museum in Alberton, run by Jack O’Brien. The race was unusual in that it featured three generations of drivers from the Wallace family - Wendall, his son Blair and his grandson Devon.
The Lloyd O’Brien Memorial was won by Marfas Vineyard, owned by Mary Jean Noye and also driven to victory by Norris Rogers.

The Syd Rennie Memorial trophy was presented to the winner of the ladies-only 5th race, Sandy MacDougall of O’Leary, racing Rivervue Jameen for Ryan DesRoche.

The Pat Murphy sponsored cooler in the first race was won by the dynamic duo of Kyle (driver) and Ryan (owner/trainer) DesRoche of O’Leary with perennial matinee campaigner Gold And Chances.

Complete Results:
Race 1 (Pat Murphy, Summerside Raceway)
1. Gold And Chances, own. Ryan DesRoche, Dr. Kyle DesRoche
2. Little Suzie, own. George Arsenault, Dr. Paul Conway
3. MacKenzies Dream, own/Dr. Terry Shea
4. Lady Ati, Own. Terry Shea, Dr. Kerry Shea

Race 2 (O’leary Co-Op, Alberton Fisheries)
1. Sindersoot, Own. Rick & Nancy Dunville, Dr. Brandon Darrach
2. Blue To The Moon, Own. George Arsenault, Dr. Paul Conway
3. Step On nanny, Own. Melvin Gamester, Dr. Clair Sweet
4. Bloomin Magic, Shirley Wallace, Dr. Wendall Wallace

Race 3 (R. H. Rennie & Sons, Tignish Credit Union)
1. Just Like Mom, Own. Terri Tremere, Dr. Freeman Coughlin
2. JIS, Own/Dr. Terry Shea
3. Julies Girl, Own/Dr. Clayton Adams
4. Windemere Dawn, Own. Byron Gamester, Dr. Clair Sweet

Race 4 (Central Credit Union, Gaudettes Transit Mix)
1. Rags To Britches, Own. Rick & Nancy Dunville, Dr. Brandon Darrach
2. Millar Millar, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Robbie Chappell
3. Misty Fog, Own/Dr. Stuart Tremere
4. Tobins Quick, Own/Dr. Terry Shea

Race 5 (Syd Rennie Memorial)
1. Rivervue Jameen, Own. Ryan DesRoche, Dr. Sandy macDougall
2. Bendolio, Own. Barb Murphy, Dr. Christina McCourt
3. Hawaiian Iceman, Own. Byron Gamester, Dr. Heather Gamester

Race 6 (Lloyd O’Brien Memorial, Harper’s Construction)
1. Marfas Vineyard, Own. Mary Jean Noye, Dr. Norris Rogers
2. Island Tiara, Own. Heather Gamester, Dr. Clair Sweet
3. Little Ben, Own. Jonny Jones, Dr. Stuart Tremere
4. Sherwood Dexter, Own. Byron Gamester, Dr. Phillip DesRoche
5. Delicate Time, Own/Dr. Paul Conway

Race 7 (Thomson Pace, Alberton Home Hardware)
1. Stracor, Own. Meagan & Brady Sweet, Dr. Steven Sweet
2. Fabulous Alberta, Own/Dr. Terry Shea
3. Butterscotch Belle, Own. Olive Darrach, Dr. Brandon Darrach
4. Aria Aria, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Robbie Chappell
5. Sammys Luck, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Ryan DesRoche

Race 8 (Harry O’Brien Memorial, town Of Alberton, Tignish Co-Op)
1. Coors Life, Own. Jaye Noye, Dr. Norris Rogers
2. Sassy Little Shark, Own. Shirley Wallace, Dr. Wendall Wallace
3. Golden Dreams Killean, Own/Dr. Ryan Neill
4. Cammillion, Own. Ivan MacMillan, Dr. Phillip DesRoche
5. Bonnaires Bubba, Own. Kristina McCourt, Dr. Devon Wallace
6. Jacks Pride, Own. Wendall Wallace, Dr. Blair Wallace

The card of racing at the Prince County Exhibition will be held Sunday, July 31st at 2 p.m.

The O’Leary Potato Blossom Festival wrapped up Saturday July 23rd with an eight-race card at the Charles F Willis Memorial Racetrack.
Twelve-year-old Kyle Desroche was the crowd favorite in race one, winning his very first start with Gold And Chances, trained by his fifteen-year-old brother Ryan.
The horsemen and their families gathered on the track with Clair Sweet and the Byron Gamester-trained Sherwood Dexter, as a tribute to their late friend in the Harold Darrach Memorial.
MLA Robert Henderson sponsored the 7th race, won by Ryan DesRoche with Rivervue Jameen and the signature race, the Charles F Willis Memorial, was won by Clair Sweet with his own Shadowcross Cliff.
Complete results follow:
Race 1 D & M Tools
1. Gold And Chances, own. Ryan DesRoche, Dr. Kyle DesRoche
2. Little Suzie, own. George Arsenault, Dr. Freeman Coughlin
3. Lady ATI, own/Dr. Terry Shea
4. MacKenzies Dream, Own. Terry Shea, Dr. Kerry Shea
Race 2 Dr. Wade Sweet
1. Western Alexa, Own/Dr. Elton Miller
2. Sindersoot, Own. Rick & Nancy Dunville, Dr. Brandon Darrach
3. Blue To The Moon, Own. George Arsenault, Dr. Freemen Coughlin
4. Miss Benlaagin, Own/Dr. Cam Trail
5. Bloomin Magic, Own. Shirley Wallace, Dr. Wendall Wallace
Race 3 Hemphill Buick Chevrolet
1. JIS, Own/Dr. Terry Shea
2. Step On Nanny, Own. Melvin Gamester, Dr. Nick McGillvary
3. Julies Girl, Own/Dr. Clayton Adams
4. Windemere Dawn, Own. Byron Gamester, Dr. Clair Sweet
5. Just Like Mom, Own. Terry Tremere, Dr. Stuart Tremere
Race 4 Harold Darrach Memorial
1. Sherwood Dexter, Own. Byron Gamester, Dr. Clair Sweet
2. Little Ben, Own. Johny Jones, Dr. Stuart Tremere
3. Delicate Time, Own/Dr. Paul Conway
4. Tobins Quick, Own. Terry Shea, Dr. Freeman Coughlin
5. Acton Neon, DNF
Race 5 Ralph & Gary Rennie Memorial
1. Rags To Britches, Own. Rick & Nancy Dunville, Dr. Brandon Darrach
2. Marfas Vineyard, Own. Mary Jean Noye, Dr. Jay Noye
3. Island Tiara, Own. Heather Gamester, Dr. Stuart Tremere
4. Millar Millar, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Robert Chappell
5. Shang Hi Clyde, Own. Amy & Kyle DesRoche, Dr. Ryan DesRoche
Race 6 Linda Sweet Memorial
1. Dreams, Own/Dr. Ryan Neill
2. Misty Fog, Own/Dr. Stuart Tremere
3. Sammys Luck, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Ryan DesRoche
4. Aria Aria, Own. Robert Parsons, Dr. Robert Chappell
5. RE’s Dr Ian, Own/Dr. William Folland
Race 7 Robert Henderson MLA, 2nd Greenhawk Supplies
1. Rivervue Jameen, Own/Dr. Ryan DesRoche
2. Butterscotch Belle, Own. Olive Darrach, Dr. Brandon Darrach
3. A Della Mac, Own. Darren Silliker & Dana Sweet, Dr. Dana Sweet
4. Stracor, Own. Megan & Brady Sweet, Dr. Stephen Sweet
5. Fabulous Alberta, Own/Dr. Terry Shea
6. Pictonian Press, Own/Dr. William Folland
Race 8 Charles F Willis Memorial, 2nd Albert MacMillan Memorial
1. Shadowcross Cliff, Own/Dr. Clair Sweet
2. Bonneires Bubba, Own. Kristina McCourt, Dr. Devon Wallace
3. Balbriggan Fox, Own. Harold Culleton & Blain McKenna, Dr. Brandon Darrach
4. Camillion, Own. Ivan MacMillan, Dr. Phillip DesRoche
5. Pan Cushion, Own/Dr. Jordan Hicken

Best-dressed horse at the racetrack had to be Step On Nanny, and she grinned in appreciation.

Race 1 Mile Time 2:15:4
Owner Driver
1 School Girl Willy Mackay Willy Mackay
2 Step On Nanny Melvin Gamster Nick Macguillvary
3 Miss Benlaagin Cameron Trail Cameron Trail

Race 2 Mile Time 2:46:3

Owner Driver
1 Little Suzie George Arsenault Freeman Coughlin
2 A Horse of Course Freeman Coughlin Clayton Adams
3 Mackenzies Dream Terry Shea Terry Shea
4 Lady Ati Terry Shea Brandon Darrach

Race 3 Mile Time 2:22:2
Owner Driver
1 Little Ben John Jones Stuart Tremere
2 Sindersoot Ricky, Nancy Dumville Brandon Darrach
3 Windamere Dawn Byron Gamester Nick Macguillvary
4 Gold and Chances Ryan DesRoche Ryan DesRoche
5 Blue to the Moon George Arsenault Freeman Coughlin

Race 4 Mile Time 2:23:2
Owner Driver
1 Julies Girl Freeman Coughlin Clayton Adams
2 Tobins Quick Terry Shea Terry Shea
3 First Flight Home Willy Mackay Willy Mackay
4 Hawiian Ice man Melvin Gamster Nick Macguillvary
5 Just like Mom Terri Tremere Stuart Tremere

Race 5 Mile Time 2:24
Owner Driver
1 Mysty Fog Stuart Tremere Stuart Tremere
2 Delicate Time Paul Conway Paul Conway
3Sherwood Dexter Byron Gamester Robbie Chappell
4 JLS Terry Shea Terry Shea

Race 6 Mile Time 2:21:3
Owner Driver
1 Rags To Britches Ricky, Nancy Dumville Brandon Darrach
2 Marfas Vineyard Mary Jean Noye Nick Macguillvary
3 Shang Hi Clyde Amy,Kyloe DesRoche Ryan DesRoche
4 Millar Millar Robert Parsons Robert Parsons

Race 7 Mile Time 2:15:3
Owner Driver
1 Sammys Luck Robert Parsons Ryan DesRoche
2 Dreams Ryan Neill Nick Macguillvary
3 Aria Aria Robert Parsons Robbie Chappell
4 Annalytic Raymond White Raymond White

Race 8 Mile Time 2:13:2
Owner Driver
1 Butterscotch Belle Olive Darrach Brandon Darrach
2 Stacor Megan and Brady Sweet Stephen Sweet
3 E J Fantasy Stanley Maclillan Raymond White
4 Fabulous Alberta Terry Shea Terry Shea

The first Sunday Challenge Series card at Pinette Raceway was a special day for Nick McGillvary, who drove his first two races ever and won both. It was also the scene of a hard-fought and Father’s Day father-son matchup featuring Raymond White and his son, who finished first and second in the third race. Raymond crossed the finish line on top in 2:09, fastest mile of the day on a heavy track.
Complete order of finish:
Race 1
1.Gascoine Astro, dr W. Sorrie
2.Danno, dr. G. Macguigan
3.Vegas Man, dr. K. White
4.Thunder On Friday, dr. G. MacDougall
Race 2
1.Chronology, dr. J. Clarey
2.Aria Aria, dr. R. Chappell
3.Hawaiian Ice Man, dr. W. Sorrie
4.Just Like Mom, dr. S. Tremere
Race 3
1.E Js Fantasy, dr. R. White
2.Annalitic, dr. B. White
3.Finns Lake, dr. J. Clarey
4.Sherwood Dexter, dr. S. Tremere
Race 4
1.Dreams, dr. N MacGillvary
2.Sammys Luck, dr. R. Chappell
3.Little Ron, dr. S. Tremere
4.Kate And Amy, dr. G. MacGuigan
Race 5
1.Scootin Up The Coast, dr. T. Wilkie
2.Canco Paula, dr. M. MacDonald
3.Tammy Little Star, dr. W. Sorrie
4.Sir Duncan, dr. K. White
Race 6
1.Bengal Lancer, dr. T. Wilkie
2.Misty Fog, dr. S. Tremere
3.Amber, G. MacGuigan
4.Marnie Rock, dr. W. Sorrie
5.Lornes Delight, dr. M. Stevenson
Race 7
1.Marthas Vineyard, dr. N. McGillvary
2.Miller Miller, dr. R. Chappell
3.Step On Nanny, dr. W. Sorrie
4.Windamere Dawn, dr. S. Tremere

The PEI Matinee season got off to a sunny start at the Charles F Willis Memorial Racetrack in O’Leary on Saturday, June 11th. Rookie Ryan Neill and veteran Freeman Coughlin had two wins each; Neill with his own horse, Dreams, and Mary Jean Noye’s Marfas Vineyard. Coughlin won the first race with George Arsenault’s Little Suzie and the fifth with his own Hawaiian Breeze. Fastest race of the day was Olive Darrach’s Butterscotch Belle in 2:11.1 with Brandon Darrach aboard.
Next Challenge Series race is Sunday, June 19th at Pinette Raceway, post time 1:30.
Full results:
Race 1 2:47
1. Little Suzie, own. George Arsenault, dr. Freeman Coughlin
2. Thunder Boy, own/dr. Aubin Doucette
3. MacKenzie Dream, own. Terry Shea, dr. Philip Desroche
4. Lady A Tea, Pulled up, DNF
Race 2 2:33
1. Hawaiian Iceman, own. Melvin Gamester, dr. Clair Sweet
2. Sammys Luck, own. Robert Parsons, dr. Philip DesRoche
3. Blue To The Moon, own. George Arsenault, dr Freeman Coughlin
4. Millar Millar, own. Robert Parsons, dr. Robbie Chappell
5. Gold And Chances, own/dr. Ryan DesRoche
Race 3 2:23.1
1. Dreams, own/dr Ryan Neill
2. Step On Nanny, own Melvin Gamester, dr. Clair Sweet
3. Julies Girl, own/dr. Aubin Doucette
4. Shang Hi Clyde, own. Kyle and Amy DesRoche, dr. Ryan DesRoche
5. Sindersoot, own. Ricky and Nancy Dunville, dr. Brandon Darrach
Race 4 2:15.2
1. Little Ben, own. Johny Jones, dr. Stuart Tremere
2. L H Danzel, own. Barbie Murphy, dr. Darren Baglole
3. Rags To Britches, own. Ricky and Nancy Dunville, dr. Brandon Darrach
4. Delicate Time, own/dr. Paul Conway
Race 5 2:15.2
1. Hawaiian Breeze, own/dr. Freeman Coughlin
2. Show Hall, own/dr. Clair Sweet
3. Mysty Fog, own/dr. Stuart Tremere
4. Gracies Flame, own.dr. Robbie Chappell
Race 6 2:15.3
1. Sherwood Dexter, own. Byron Gamester, dr. Phillip DesRoche
2. Fabulous Alberta, own/dr. Terry Shea
3. JIS own/dr. Terry Shea
Race 7 2:15.3
1. Marfas Vineyard, own. Mary Jean Noye, dr. Ryan Neill
2. Just Like Mom, own/dr. Stuart Tremere
3. Tobins Quick, own/dr. Terry Shea
4. Windemere Dawn, own. Byron Gamester, dr. Clair Sweet
Race 8 2:11.1
1. Butterscotch Belle, own. Olive Darrach, dr. Brandon Darrach
2. Rivervue Jameen, own/dr. Ryan DesRoche
3. Disco Dot, own/dr. Cam Trail
4. Pictonian Press, own/dr. Billy Folland
5. Nico, own/dr. Harold Hill
6. Stracor, own. Megan and Brady Sweet, dr. Stephen Sweet

Please note that the Saturday races at O’Leary with 2 p.m. post times have been changed to a 1 o’clock post time in order to accommodate horsemen who have to race in Charlottetown.
June 11 is the first race at the Willis track and post time is 1 p.m.

The first matinee race of the season, scheduled for Saturday, May 21st at Prince County Exhibition, has been cancelled due to poor track and weather conditions. It has not been rescheduled at this point.

April 19 Matinee Racetracks Directors’ Meeting

Present: Orville Willis (O’Leary), Clair Sweet (O’Leary), Melvin Gamester (member at large), Jennifer Parsons (member at large), Robert Parsons (member at large), Ed Doucette (Kensington), Lowell Large (Pinette), Raymond White (Pinette), Jay Noye (member at large), Allan Shaw (Alberton), Kent Oakes (Department of Agriculture), Wayne Pike (PEI Harness Racing Industry Association).

Kent Oakes opened the meeting by confirming that, pending the passing of the present budget, the money contributed by the government would remain the same as last year, $15,000 for travel allowance to the matinee tracks and $2,500 administration, at total of $17,500.

Wayne Pike gave a history and summary of the new report on harness racing, a report that shows a thriving harness racing business on the Island and the need for a creation of 8 new committees to continue the forward momentum. The report also complimented the grass roots success of the matinee racetracks and their contribution to the health of provincial racing, a positive attitude towards racing, and their value in attracting youth and family.

Discussion of the Status of 2010 Changes

The travel incentive was discussed at length, with Clair Sweet proposing a change to $25 per horse and $50 for horses shipped 50 kilometres or more. The motion was passed.

A no whipping or no whip rule was established at the 2010 meeting and this rule was discussed, especially the hardship to trainers with young horses. Consensus was to keep the “no whip” rule and enforce it by withholding travel incentive and points. Several additions to the rule, such as drinking before or during the races, kicking and similar actions having the potential to upset spectators were added. It was agreed that a horseman who was racing a young horse for experience and needed to carry a whip would be allowed to race but would not be eligible for points or travel incentive.

The question of unfit horses was brought up and it was decided that a press release should be issued explaining that unfit horses could and would be refused entry by any individual track.

Women’s racing is to be encouraged at O’Leary and Pinette, as well as the two tracks that created special races for women in 2010, Kensington and Tyne Valley.

New Business:
Top Class Horses: The horses in the top class of each Challenge Series were traditionally not eligible for points. Jay Noye requested that they be awarded points and be given their own race at the Finals at Summerside. It was decided that a fourth Final would be created and one horse racing in the Challenge Series from each track would be eligible, according to points, as well as two or more, as neccessary, from horsemen shipping in to race at the Challenge Series.

Jay Noye has volunteered his time to update the Matinee Racetracks website, including entries and results from each track.

A Family Day was suggested for a Matinee Race to be held at Summerside Raceway, which would include an open paddock and rides on the double seater jog carts.

Allan Shaw announced that the racetrack at Alberton was applying for help with improvements to the track and stabling area and was planning to create a West Prince Racing Museum on the site. Because the Prince County Exhibition has gone from four days to three, Alberton has lost a matinee race date and he requested an extra date in May. This date was approved and will be the first Challenge Series date.

Raymond White stated that Pinette Raceway was switching their traditional Wednesday evening racing to Sundays for 2011.

2011 Race Dates

May 21 Alberton 2 p.m.
June 11 O’Leary 2 p.m.
June 19 Pinette 1:30 p.m.
July 9 O’Leary 2 p.m.
July 23 O’Leary 2:30 p.m. Potato Festival
July 30 Alberton 2 p.m. Prince County Exhibiton
August 7 Pinette 1:30 Kilted Pace
August 7 Tyne Valley 12 Noon Oyster Festival
August 21 Pinette 1:30
August 28 Kensington 2 p.m.
September 10 O’Leary 2 p.m. Childrens Wish
September 21 Summerside Finals