Red Shores: Covered Bridge defends Gold Cup & Saucer title

Covered Bridge followed cover, rallied into the lead and pulled away to win Saturday night's C$100,000 Atlantic Lottery Gold Cup & Saucer for older pacing males at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. This was Covered Bridge's second straight victory in the event.

Larry Karr (Austin Sorrie) gunned through from the pole position and led through opening-half fractions of 26 3/5 and 54. Save America (Adam Merner), who tucked into fourth from post eight, was out and rolling first-over on the second turn, giving a tow to Fortify (Dan Dube), Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) and Rocks Shining Star (Jason Hughes).

Save America would forge his way by Larry Karr to take the top spot prior to the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters, and that left Fortify first-over, with Covered Bridge now positioned second-over. Fortify continued to make progress after losing the helmet, but Stratton elected to tip Covered Bridge three-wide early on the last turn, and he came faster than both Fortify and Save America, blowing by the pair and dropping back down to the pylons coming off the bend.

There was little dispute through the lane after Covered Bridge took command, as he kicked away from the other horses and let Stratton pump his fist in celebration to the wire of the 1:50 4/5 mile. Twin B Tuffenuff (Gilles Barrieau) rallied from last at the half to get second and Save America was third from Fortify. Binge On Yankee (Marc Campbell) checked in fifth.

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"I was a little hesitant because he maybe wasn't 100 percent going into this race, but the connections - Jeff and Sarah (Gillis) - have done a great job with him. He's happy to be home and I'm happy to be here again," remarked Stratton. "I was worried about Save America crossing over; he's so fast, but I was able to get on Fortify's back and have Save America first-over. Around the last turn I was pretty confident. I looked back once (in the stretch) just to make sure no one was coming from the clouds, but it was a good feeling to look over and see everybody cheering.

"We've put a lot of miles on together. I'm just fortunate enough the connections stick with me driving him. It's a life experience to come here."

An 8-year-old gelding bred by Winbak Farm, Covered Bridge is trained by Gillis for owner Mark Ford. Covered Bridge won for the 51st time in his career, has earned C$1,464,417 and paid $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favorite.