Charlottetown's leading driver Marc Campbell celebrated the biggest win of his career as he guided Escape The News to a 1:50.4 track-record victory in the $60,000 Gold Cup & Saucer to close out Old Home Week on Saturday night (Aug. 17) at Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Ron Burke trainees swept the top two spots as Hillbilly Hanover and Gilles Barrieau came in second.
When the wings of the gate opened for the 54th running of the Sobeys Gold Cup & Saucer, it was no surprise to see Carl Jamieson leaving from the rail with Up The Credit as the Hall of Famer had declared “Yes, I'll be leaving!” during an interview on the Red Shores broadcast the previous night.
Up The Credit protected the rail position while Machs Beach Boy (James MacDonald) settled into the pocket with R Caan (Jason Ryan) parked out through a 26.2 opening panel.
R Caan went head-to-head with the leader through a sizzling 53.2 half and eventually cleared to command into the clubhouse turn.
R Caan began to open up on his rivals down the backstretch, but Hillbilly Hanover was advancing as they approached the third quarter mark in 1:21.4 with Escape The News rallying three-wide off his cover.
Hillbilly Hanover took over command in the stretch before Escape The News swept by with a 28.3 final panel to earn his 15th career win, returning $10.40 to his backers. R Caan finished third.
The time of the mile was one-fifth of a second better than the track record set by 2010 winner Part Shark and later matched by Eighteen in last year's edition. It also matched Rare Jewel and Tigerama's Canadian record for older pacers on a half-mile track.
"It was a good trip," said Campbell after the victory. "I knew they were going crazy fractions up front and I thought it would work out in my favour for sure.
"Halfway down the stretch I thought [I had the win]. I just didn't want to fall off the bike," laughed the O'Brien Award winning horseman before being hoisted up in winner's circle celebrations.
Among the winning connections, Mickey Burke has nothing but praise for his driver.
"He is one of the top drivers in the country," said Burke. "He can drive with any of them, there's no question about it."
Escape The News is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jjk Stables LLC, and Howard Taylor.
"All my partners are happy, how can you say anything else about it," said Burke of his first Old Home Week experience and Gold Cup & Saucer win. "It's just outstanding. We've been to some big races, but I've never seen a crowd more enthusiastic. It's unbelievable. I love this island. We will be back."