Summerside, PE – The 2012 edition of the Governor’s Plate begins this weekend at Red Shores Summerside with Sunday afternoon featuring the first elimination. Post time is 1pm. The action will be carried at www.redshores.ca

 The road for the 44^th running of the Governor’s Plate will one of the best in history as a total of three eliminations starring the top racing athletes take a shot of finishing in the top three to make it to the $20,000 Final next Saturday.

 Firethorn, a second place finisher in last year’s Gold Cup, ships in from Ottawa for driver John MacDonald. The Plate could be added to this guy’s resume after drawing the rail in the seven horse field.

 Outlawpositivcharg, with Terry Gallant in the bike, will attempt to qualify for Prince County’s signature event for the fifth year in a row. The two-time winner leaves from post two while Aled Hanover, listed at second choice on the morning line at 3-1, has to maneuver from post 6 for driver Alex Sobey. The Ron Hall owned pacer has back to back wins in the 1:55 range.  The field also includes Martimer (Kenny Arsenault), Ultimate Success (Gary Chappell) and Every Day (Brian Andrew).

 The stage is set Monday night for two Plate Eliminations in race 9 and race 11. Jepson Hanover is listed as the favorite by race analyst Jared Stretch. Owner Paul Gray of Pugwash, N.S. has taken the pacing star back to the Maritimes to compete in the invitational ranks. Danny Romo, who recently celebrated his 3,500 career win, has been re-united with this $132,478 lifetime winner. Current track record holder PH Bestman has also been entered for Todd Trites. Oakrock Almighty has the cones for driver Gilles Barrieau. Barrieau was listed as day to day after he suffered another spill last weekend at Fredericton Raceway. He is programmed to drive. The line-up includes Weethereyougo, Real Simple, Joseph Michael, Bet the House and Arabica.

 Barrieau gets another shot to make it to the final in the third elimination when he drives Mcapula, a new purchase from Patrick Morris of Charlottetown. The seven year-old horse smashed the track record at Fredericton on Monday touring the historic oval in 1:54.2 erasing the record that stood since 1995 by Shannon Commander. With Barrieau injured earlier in the program, trainer Jackie Matheson, called in Brodie MacPhee to engineered the track record performance.

 The star power continues in the third elimination with Oakmont, War Cry Ranger, Toughest of All, Windemere Express, Epanephrine, Leading Camdidate and All Turan.

Saturday features an exciting 12 dash card at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Post time is 7pm.