by Scott Waddell, public relations director, Exhibition Park
Saint John, NB — Gilles Barrieau stole the show on Saturday afternoon at Exhibition Park Raceway as he scored seven wins in 11 drives, including the top class winner Quick Flow as he scored in 1:59 for owner Jennifer Murray of Saint John, New Brunswick. War Banner, an impressive looking son of Happy Paysak, won his first start on cruise control in a maiden effort of 2:05. He’s a three-year-old owned by Dan Belliveau of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Miss Ralston, a three-year-old daughter of Arcane Hanover, took on older rivals and turned them away in 2:02.2 for owner Boyd MacDonald. She was a winner of over $11,000 in her freshman season. Incoming Storm gave Barrieau the chance to showcase another three-year-old stakes hopeful as she blew in with a huge debut, winning in 2:00.3 for owners Jean Belliveau and Jean Beaulieu. Rakland Fine Line, a five-year-old son of Gothic Dream, toyed with his competition in 1:59.4 as a go away winner for the Ultimate Stable of Dieppe. Barrieau handles the training duties as well and scored with five of his own on the afternoon. Dusty Lane Ely, a handsome son of Pans To Reason, owned by Ronnie Gass of Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, scored his first winning effort of 2005 as he wired the field in 2:01.3. Aran Islands got the day started as Barrieau guided him to a 2:03.3 win for owner Ron Chamberlain. Lotta Speed made his four-year-old debut a winning one as he scored an easy win in 1:59.4 for driver Sam Hodgin and owner/trainer David Bishop of Riverside. He could be one to watch on this year’s FFA circuit that will include the likes of Dunachton Gale, Igoddago, Black Bowtie, Basin View Albert, and other former Maritime stakes stars. Camco Kyle captured the Youth Owner for a Day race as the three-year-old stakes hopeful recorded a new speed badge of 2:01.1. Todd Trites drove the colt to victory for owners Chris Davies and Sharon and Rick Burchill. Local youth Emily Thompson was the owner for a day and cheered the colt on to victory. There were eight local youths who took part in the one day promotion that included a free breakfast for the owners and families and a hands on experience of what it’s like to own a race horse. That was one of two winners on the day for driver Todd Trites as he guided Birdton Bert to a maiden effort of 2:03.2 as the colt won for owners Doug, Ron and Jennifer Hildrebrand of Fredericton. Steve Mahar captured a gate-to-wire trip with Pinchot as the daugher of Real Artist wired the competition with a 2:04 win for owner Phil Reid of Quispamsis. Next week, the Greyhounds will be in action on May 28, with nine of the retired dogs in the “Race for Fun” that will crown the province’s fastest dog.