Article contentArticle contentImpressive elimination showingArticle contentThat was evident in the second of two $9,000 Governor’s Plate elimination races on July 13. Marc Campbell drove Miki Shan N to a 1:51.4 win.Article contentCampbell drove Roll Em, the current Summerside track record holder of 1:51.1 from the rail in the 2025 Governor’s Plate.Article contentMacRae said, although the final decision was MacKay’s, Hughes was the obvious choice for the catch-drive.Article content“Jason’s kind of my go-to driver all the time, so whenever Marc had two horses in it, it was kind of a no-brainer to pick Jason,” said MacRae. “We’ve been together for 20 years.”Article contentIt marked the first time Hughes drove Miki Shan N. Hughes acknowledged he watched Miki Shan N race in his last couple of starts, adding he was awesome.Article content“He’s a pleasure to drive,” said Hughes. “He’s just a sweet horse… he’s perfect.Article contentArticle content Driver Jason Hughes, right, and caretaker Melissa MacRae pose with Miki Shan N after the six-year-old bay gelding won the 57th edition of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge. Miki Shan N won the signature race at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway in a time of 1:53 flat. The Governor’s Plate featured a purse of $50,000. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentTop threeArticle contentBounty Hunter, driven by Kenny Arsenault, finished second while the Myles Heffernan Sr.-driven Tony Too Tall finished in the show position.Article contentArticle contentHughes made his move right off the bat as the Marc Campbell-driven Roll Em and Bounty Hunter left from the No. 1 and No. 2 post positions.Article content“Marc’s horse didn’t get off the gate that well,” said Hughes. “Kenny Arsenault‘s horse had him beat out, so I decided I’d keep on coming and try my luck in the front.Article content“This horse never raced in the front since being here, but I thought I’d take my chances, and he was awesome.”Article contentHughes said he does not go into races with a strategy and decides on his approach once the starting gate wings fold.Article content“You have seconds to decide what you’re going to do,” said Hughes. “Sometimes it’s a good thing, sometimes it’s a bad thing. (July 19) it was a great thing.”Article contentArticle contentIncreased purse, wagerArticle contentJuly 19 marked the 57th running of the Governor Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge. The 2025 race featured a $50,000 purse, a $15,000 increase from 2024.Article contentArticle contentFor the fourth year in a row, the Governor’s Plate program produced a record wager – $192,319.Article contentArticle contentScratchesArticle contentThe Governor’s Plate featured a six-horse field after High Voltage Deo (Post 2) and Middleton Terror (Post 8) were scratched earlier on July 19.Article content“It made quite a difference with the other two horses, obviously, being scratched,” said MacRae. “So, he moved in a spot. Plus, the horse that was (scheduled) in the two hole, the Deo horse, that’s a good horse and has been racing good lately…Article content“He got away with an easy half. He didn’t have to use him hard and he just kind of sprinted away from them as the end. He’s a good finishing horse, this little horse. When he raced in New Zealand, that’s the type of horse he was – a good, good finishing horse.”Article contentArticle contentGold Cup and SaucerArticle contentMacRae said he hopes Miki Shan N will get a shot at the Gold Cup and Saucer Trials in Charlottetown in August.
Chris MacKay-trained Miki Shan N adapting to life in P.E.I. quite well in Kensington
