by Scott Waddell

You couldn’t have asked for better weather on Saturday as Exhibition Park Raceway kicked of its annual A.N.E week of racing by hosting the two-year-old fillies in stakes action along with two divisions of the Robert Banks mare’s series.

In two-year-old stakes action, Southview Special won a thrilling stretch drive for Walter Cheverie as the daughter of Southview Matt scored a 2:00 win over Special Guest and Clare MacDonald by one-half length.

Woodmere Show Girl captured the other “A” stake in 2:03.3 in a race that arguably was the best of the day as the six fillies were less than three-lengths apart at the wire.

In the lone “B” stake it was Chic Flow for local owners Bill Flowers & Ray Coholan stepping to s new life’s mark for Gilles Barrieau in 2:03.

It was a banner day for Barrieau scoring nine winners on the double-header. Wylde Cherry continued her winning ways scoring a first-up trip in 2:01. Magnetic Benka’s only real competition was the clock on this day as the equipment malfunctioned causing a no time recorded win.

Rakland Fine Line made it five straight wins on Saturday for the Ultimate Stable as the son of Gothic Dream toiled with his rivals in 1:58.1. Bobs Birthday also clicked for Barrieau in 2:01.2 for owners Ken & Rick Burchill but the owners lost the horse in the claiming event going back to Scott Hubbard & Ricky Collins.

Other winners on the first card were Nothoughtsofherown as the two-year old filly recorded a 2:06.4 triumph for the Dooley Boys Racing Stable. Stef “The Ref” Decourcey, a representative in next weeks Future Stars Driving Series won with Driverlikeshesstoln as the four-year old came from off the pace for a 2:03.3 win.

In the second card of the day, Dropelle won the faster of two divisions of the Robert Banks series winning in 1:58.1 for owner Lorraine Lanigan. Countyline Gaze was second just a half-length back with Howmacs Dragon who remains winless this season grabbing third.

Fannies Fortune is now six for eight in the Maritimes this season as the Apaches Fame four-year old made every post a winning one in 1:59.1 for Wayne MacRae and catch-driver Mike Stevenson. She has been the top mare in the series so far. Wood Island was second with Sugar P rounding out the top trio.

It was another driving clinic put on by the Maritimes leading driver as Gilles Barrieau piloted five winners on the program. Besides is win in the Banks, he also scored with Perfect Trick for owner Doug Beckwith in 2:00 and also connected with Tricky Wind another Beckwith owned pacer winning in 2:00.3.

Racing resumes on Monday with the two-year old colts taking center stage with the trotters in action on Wednesday. Both post times are scheduled at 4:30 P.M.