Connell Park swings back in to harness racing action on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 P.M with the annual running off the three-year-old made in New Brunswick stake, the coveted Maritimer for a purse of $ 24,000.
Six fillies will do battle in the Maritimer and will be part of a seven-dash card at the half-mile track. Press Time will seek his fourth straight win on Saturday for first-time owner, Zach Cougle of Woodstock. Averil Hunter trains the horse who has made his stamp on the New Brunswick racing scene in a big way.
Since arriving on the scene, the seven-year-old son of Sportswriter has toured the Woodstock oval in 1:54.1, 1:55.1 and 1:55.3. He has been handicapped the outside post five in the top overnight class of the day. Todd Trites will drive the nineteen-time winner and has over $ 100,000 in career earnings.
In the Maritimer stake, Chip Of Evil, a winner of over $ 47,000 in 2024 looks to be the odds on favorite for driver Corey Macpherson. She will have post-two and has been a model of consistency with nine of ten starts in the top-three. Miss Wicked, a daughter of McWicked will score from post-four for Mark Bradley and should get a lot of respect from the public.
The Maritimer was first held at Exhibition Park Raceway and the tradition continues in the province on Saturday at Connell Park. Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to extend their gratitude to Charles Gaudreault of Quebec who Is supplying a starting gate for Saturday after theirs was stolen, and vandalized.
Wagering available through the HPI platform where available and fans can watch on YouTube on the official Universum Media channel if they can’t be trackside.
For complete race entries, click here.
by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick