The richest race in Connell Park Raceway set to go with card featuring Barrieu-McIsaac Memorial Stake
The Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock will host the richest race in its storied history on Friday night, Aug. 30, with the final of the Barrieau-McIsaac Stake for a purse of $50,000.
More than $60,000 in purse money will be up for grabs over the seven-dash card, with last week’s elimination winner Jackie’s Boy and Myles Heffernan Sr scoring from his chosen post of the rail spot.
Jackie’s Boy turned aside Tobins Chester last week in a mild upset in the elimination in a track record mile of 1:56 for three-year-old colts and geldings. Tobins Chester, owned by Donald MacRae, will leave post two.
Going into last week, Tobins Chester had won seven straight races this season. Jason Hughes will drive for trainer Ashley Gamester. He’s a winner of over $67,000 on the season.
Jackie’s Boy, owned by Heffernan of Montague, P.E.I, went over $100,000 lifetime with his win last week and will be looking to bolster those earnings on Friday night.
Check Your Chip, who was fifth in the elimination, will bust the gate from post-three for Greg Bailey who co-owns with his son Lucas Heffernan-Bailey, who has become a star on the mini horse circuit in Atlantic Canada.
Merigo Magic, a lifetime winner of over $100,000, will have regular pilot Adam Merner on board for trainer Melissa Rennie. The horse, owned by the partnership of Mike May, Herman McQuaid, Derrick Cameron and Ian Walker, was fourth in the elimination.
Majestic Mason, owned by Saint John businessman Stephen Downey of Quispamsis, N.B, with driver Mike Downey, draws post five in the six-horse field. He’s earned over $16,000 this year and a record of 1:57.2 over Connell Park.
Rounding out the lucrative final is Allaboutthecash, with catch-driver Brady Sweet and high-percentage trainer Jeff Holmes ( 491 ). He will be looking to upset them in the final for co-owners Trevor and David MacDonald and Leonard Doyle.
There are a total of seven races, with race six being the final of the Barrieau-McIsaac Memorial Stake.
Post time is slated for 6 p.m. on Friday, with live streaming and wagering through H.P.I where available.
