After decades around the track, Summerside horseman Allen Gaudet will see a local‑owned entry compete in this year’s Governor’s Plate at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.
Local ownership ends long wait
Doc Awesome, which lists Gaudet as a part owner, qualified for the $50,000 Governor’s Plate after finishing second in one of two elimination races on July 12. The final is scheduled for July 18, with the event presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge.
The driver for Doc Awesome in the elimination was Adam Merner, who warmed the horse up before the race. Doc Awesome will line up as the lone Summerside‑owned horse among an eight‑horse field in the championship.
What this means for the local community
For Summerside racing fans and the small circle of local owners and trainers, having a hometown‑owned horse in a marquee event is more than a starting gate position — it’s a reminder of the community roots at Red Shores. The presence of a Summerside‑owned entry in the final highlights ongoing local involvement in harness racing, from owners and drivers to track staff and sponsors.
- Owner: Allen Gaudet (co‑owner)
- Horse: Doc Awesome
- Driver (elimination): Adam Merner
- Race: Governor’s Plate final, July 18
- Purse: $50,000
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Red Shores at Summerside Raceway |
| Local representation | Only Summerside‑owned horse in the eight‑horse final |
Local spectators planning to attend should note the mid‑July date and can expect the usual race‑day atmosphere at Red Shores, where seasonal racing and community support keep interest in the sport alive through summer months.
While the build‑up to the final spotlights the competitors, it also offers a moment to recognise the generations of Islanders who follow harness racing closely — owners who invest in horses, drivers and trainers who prepare them, and sponsors who make purses attractive for participants.
Doc Awesome’s place in the final gives Summerside fans a clear rooting interest on July 18. Whether the horse crosses the wire first or not, the significance here is local: an owner who has waited decades for a chance to see a hometown‑owned silks in a provincial final will be in the grandstand to watch it happen.
