The favorite scored from the second tier at Red Shores Charlottetown. 

by Melissa Keith 

The 2023 edition of the Gold Cup and Saucer featured one of its strongest fields. Race 14 on Saturday night (Aug. 19) at Red Shores Charlottetown, PEI brought together nine top-class pacers that had advanced from last week’s Gold Cup Trials (eliminations). With the purse of the final elevated to $100,000 (Canadian) by title sponsor Atlantic Lottery this year, three $12,500 Trials were needed. They were won by PL Ozzy (1:51.4), Funatthebeach N (1:50.4), and Covered Bridge (1:51.2). 

Fast conditions after Friday night rain seemed to promise a potential record mile on Saturday night, but headwinds picked up and the temperature dropped as midnight (Atlantic) post time approached. 

Track announcer Vance Cameron declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to get it on!” A past Breeders Crown champion was first off the gate. American History (Dale Spence) blasted to an early three-length advantage, overtaking Lawless Shadow (Tyler Moore) to his inside on the first turn. The 31-1 shot earned a “Boom! Just like that!” from Cameron, but soon paid the price for cutting the :26.1 opening panel. 

Still leading by open lengths ahead of next-best Lawless Shadow at the half, American History reached that point in a sharp :53.4. Funatthebeach N, driven by Scott Young, tipped first-over from third on the third turn to challenge the pacesetter, with P L Ozzy (Jody Jamieson) hot on his heels from second over. Roll Em and Marc Campbell soon moved off the pylons from fourth to enter the outer flow, compelling PL Ozzy and also Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) to stack up wider to his outside approaching three-quarters. 

Funatthebeach N made front as American History gave way, reaching the three-quarters in 1:22.4. A three-wide row of pacers closed in on Young’s horse down the stretch, with 2023 Camluck Classic winner soaring past widest of all in a personal :27.3 last quarter for the 1:50.3h victory. His Jeff Gillis stablemate Funatthebeach N held on for place ahead of PL Ozzy and Roll Em. 

A beaming Stratton described his winning Gold Cup and Saucer debut as more than a typical Grand Circuit victory: “It’s definitely more. When they turn out the lights and everybody’s cheering, it’s electrifying.” 

He said the trip had its share of not-so-fun electrifying jolts as well.

“I was a little upset that that one horse got between Funatthebeach and myself. I didn’t really want to be third over, but you know, [Covered Bridge] overcame a tough trip, being wide through the backside and through the turn. I looked up and ‘Beach’ was turning for home, and I was a little nervous. I didn’t know if I would get him, but [Covered Bridge] was tough in the stretch.” 

Stratton’s original game plan changed early. 

“I didn’t know how Jody’s horse [PL Ozzy] would handle the first turn,” Stratton said. “I kind of wish I got in front of him. As good as [Covered Bridge] was tonight, he could have overcome anything. I really had him in a bad spot, but he got to the winner’s circle. That’s what good horses do.” 

Stratton, a Yonkers regular, was filled with praise for his time at Red Shores Charlottetown and at Randy and Donna Van Meers’ Mount Herbert, PEI farm, where the two Jeff Gillis-trained horses spent their time between races. It was a very different experience from most modern harness racing, he said. 

“First of all, all the fans here, but just all the big excitement leading up to the big race, the eliminations the week before. It’s a thrill I hope every catch driver gets to experience.” 

While Stratton’s favorite horse will “always” be the now-retired Bit Of A Legend N (p, 9, 1:49.4h; $2,569,621), he called Covered Bridge a close contender for second. 

“He’s a 100 per cent professional,” Stratton said. “He knows his job. Even after the race, he slowed right down and let people pet him. He’s a great animal.” 

Covered Bridge is a 7-year-old gelding by American Ideal out of Stonebridge Kisses, owned by Mark Ford of Campbell Hall, NY. The Gold Cup and Saucer was the pacer’s 13th win from 25 starts this year. 

To celebrate before leaving PEI, Covered Bridge (p, 4, 1:48.3m; $957,675) and his stablemate will get to enjoy some actual fun at the beach today (Aug. 20), said Donna Van Meer. It will mark the end of a memorable working vacation for Covered Bridge and Funatthebeach N. 

“It’s quieter out there because it’s off the track. [Covered Bridge] likes it out there,” she said. “He got turned out and jogged every day. He likes the paddocks… I think [both horses are] leaving Monday, after they go swimming in the ocean tomorrow.” 

Covered Bridge paid $3.40 to win. 

Also last night at Red Shores, it was announced that for the 35th anniversary of Standardbred Canada’s O’Brien Awards, the gala will be returning to Charlottetown on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.