Article contentThe draw for the 66th Gold Cup and Saucer will take place during the 13-dash program on Aug. 12, which begins at 6 p.m.Article contentArticle content The infield sign of track records at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park will be adding the name of Miki Shan N after the six-year-old horse tied the track pacing record in a Gold Cup and Saucer Trial on Aug. 9. Jason Simmonds/The Guardian Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentTRIAL 2 Article contentArticle content“It was a thrill just to actually be listed on such a nice horse in the trial that had a shot to win,” said MacPherson, who noted he finished second in a trial approximately five years ago. “It was great.” Article contentMacPherson made an important decision as the field lined up behind the starting gate. Article content“When the draw came out, I thought there would be a heated battle on the front, so I had my nose on the gate ready for it,” said MacPherson. “But I said, ‘The boys are going to go at it,’ so I just sat back, watched, and it fell right into my hands then.” Article contentPoseidon Seelster (MacDonald) and Lakers Bank (Jody Jamieson) battled for the lead off the start as MacPherson and Miki Shan N settled in waiting for an opportunity. Article contentArticle content“When the draw came out, I thought there would be a heated battle on the front, so I had my nose on the gate ready for it,” said MacPherson. “But I said, ‘The boys are going to go at it,’ so I just sat back, watched, and it fell right into my hands then.” Article contentThe MacDonald-driven Poseidon Seelster led the field to 26.2 and 54.1 fractions. Miki Shan N sat second through the first half mile. Article contentAs the field headed up the backstretch the final time, Miki Shan N challenged Poseidon Seelster as Cameron set up the finish as the field went by the five-eighths. Article content“At the rail, Poseidon Seelter; Miki Shan right along beside; bridal to bridal, toe to toe going to three-quarters,” said Cameron. Article contentMacPherson acknowledged it was not an ideal place to move three deep. Article content“It was through the five-eighths turn and turning down the back stretch, I cleared James a little bit, and his horse came back on, and then in the turn, my horse drove away.” Article contentArticle contentThis marked MacPherson’s second time driving Miki Shan N after winning a preferred pace in 1:51 flat in Charlottetown on Aug. 2. Article content“It was a four-horse field,” said MacPherson. “He left out; I just put him on the front, and he went a huge mile. Article content“He came home in 26.3… I had a feel for him last week, so it wasn’t all brand new to me.” Article contentArticle content James MacDonald drives Its Major Major A to a 1:50.3 victory in the first of two $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer Trials, presented by Atlantic Lottery, on Aug. 9. The mile was two-fifths of a second off the current track record of 1:50.1 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Jason Simmonds/The Guardian Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentArticle contentFIRST TRIAL Article contentMacDonald said the opening trial set up how he had hoped it would. Article content“I got (to the lead) pretty stress free,” said MacDonald. “Once I got there not beaten up, I thought I had a big shot to win, and the horse responded unbelievably well.” Article contentIts Major Major A took the lead – unpressured – just past the quarter mark. Article content“I kind of let them do the battle, and then just kind of floated there on my own terms,” said MacDonald. “The horse settled in, and he was just fantastic.” Article contentIts Major Major A is owned by Daniel Gaudreault of Mont-Joli, Que., and Dr. John Bradbury of Cookshire-Eaton, Que., own the Rene Bourassa-trained Major Major A, a seven-year-old bay gelding by Art Major-Garden Gate Tina-Rustler Hanover.
Its Major Major A also comes close in first of two trialson Aug. 9
