Young P.E.I. harness racer sets new record

A 27-year-old harness racer from P.E.I. set a record this weekend for the most wins in a single season at the Charlottetown Red Shores Racetrack and Casino.

Marc Campbelllatest win came on Saturday, but he says the news still has not sunk in by Sunday.

"Oh, it's pretty amazing. It's been a pretty crazy year," he said. "Just a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders."

Campbell's win was his 119th in one season at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

He won the race with five-year-old gelding Zanzibar in 2:02.4. The horse is owned by Kathy Furness of Vernon Bridge and trained by Paul Morrison.

Saturday's win allowed Campbell to beat the previous record of 118 wins set by the late Paul MacDonald in 1987.

Campbell said the only thing on his mind when he crossed the finish line was his late grandfather, Charles MacDonald, who had introduced him to harness racing.

"Every time I go behind the gate, he's always on my mind," he said. "You know, he's probably looking down on me and he's pretty proud."

Lee Drake, the manager of marketing at the park, said setting the record is a significant milestone in any driver's career.

"The fact that Marc Campbell is 27 years old, it's certainly a worthy accomplishment for a young driver," Drake said.

Campbell hopes to win a couple more races before the season is over. There are three more race days for the season, Dec. 17, 26 and 31.

There are 12 races per day. Campbell said he usually competes in about eight per day.

The young driver is also the only Maritimer in the running for the international O'Brien Award for Horsemanship, one of the highest honours someone can receive in the sport.

The final two nominees will be for the O'Brien award will be announced on Dec. 21.