Get Wings Soars to Success in the Governor's Plate 58
The Governor's Plate 58, a prestigious event in the world of harness racing, witnessed a thrilling showdown at the Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway on July 18, 2026. The highlight of the evening was the performance of Get Wings, a four-year-old stallion, who delivered a masterful display of speed and strategy. With driver Paul Langille and trainer Vaughan Doyle in the saddle, Get Wings claimed his first victory in the East Coast Classic, solidifying his status as a rising star in the sport.
Get Wings and Langille adopted a cautious approach, opting for a protected rail position. They set a steady pace, covering the first quarter-mile in :26.4 and the half-mile in :55.4. The competition soon heated up as defending champion Miki Shan N, driven by Corey MacPherson, joined the fray. Miki Shan N challenged Get Wings, pushing the pace to three-quarters in 1:23.4. Ammo, driven by Marc Campbell, also made a strong move from the pocket, adding to the excitement.
As the race progressed, Get Wings maintained his lead, with Miki Shan N and Ammo closely trailing. The tension escalated as Jmr Speak Away, driven by Gilles Barrieau, circled off cover, bringing the field to a thrilling four-horse battle in deep stretch. Get Wings, displaying remarkable determination, held on by a neck over Jmr Speak Away, crossing the finish line in 1:52.1. Miki Shan N finished third, Ammo fourth, and Arbitrage Hanover, who set a track record in his elimination, completed the top five.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Get Wings and his team. Trained by Vaughan Doyle for owners Gary Ford and Janet Kinney, Get Wings has been on a remarkable winning streak since moving to P.E.I. from Ontario. This triumph pushed his career earnings to an impressive $215,390, with 17 wins in 47 starts. The win price of $16 further emphasized the significance of this achievement.
In other races, Lady Cafe Au Lait continued her dominance in the aged pacing mare ranks. Driven by Marc Campbell, she set a new track record in the Ruby Chappell Memorial Open Mares final, extending her winning streak to nine. Her performance showcased her exceptional speed and control, solidifying her status as a top contender in the sport.
The evening's action also featured Mappos Lion, who powered to the front in the Bob Dewar Memorial Governor's Plate Consolation. Driven by Ryan Campbell and trained by Taylor Doyle, Mappos Lion opened up through the stretch, winning by five lengths in 1:52.2. Pacesetter Tony Too Tall finished second, while Twin B Tuffenuff took third.
Cattle Call, a three-year-old pacing colt, dominated the P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold divisions, leading all the way for driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer Ron Matheson. He set impressive splits, tussling with Kapueno from the half, and vanquished his rival in the stretch to score in 1:55.4. Zero Two Sixty secured second over Kapueno.
Shanghai Whiskey, driven by Marc Campbell and owned by Wade Myers, captured the second Gold division in 1:55.4. Third to the quarter, he brushed to the top nearing the half, taking pressure from Tobins Gem to three-quarters in 1:26.1. Shanghai Whiskey held on by three-quarters of a length over Darbies Fancy, with Sporty Anthony completing the triactor.
Windemere Britt, a Somewhere Fancy-Hart Of Windemere gelding, dominated the third Gold division with a front-end victory in 1:56.2. Driven by Langille, trained by Kyle Williams, and owned by Dads Without Abs, he wrapped up late, coasting to a 1-1/2-length score. Oceanview Lou finished second, with Woodmere Mahomes taking third.
The P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots divisions saw Tobins April Fool prevail by a head in 1:57.3, driven by Brady Sweet and trained by Jeff Wallace. Blazing Cays and trainer-driver Darren Crowe won the second Grassroots split in 1:57.2, while Elm Grove Untamed captured the final Grassroots contest in 1:56.3, driven by David Dowling and trained by Jennifer Doyle.
Merigo Magic, a five-year-old gelding, ended a three-race streak of seconds with a 1:53.1 victory in the Preferred 2 Pace. Driven and trained by Adam Merner, he slotted in early behind Freemans Legacy, staying tight through the race, and collared him in the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Brookdale Johnny took third.
The evening's performances were a testament to the skill and determination of the drivers and trainers. Marc Campbell's triple on the evening secured his lead for the Basil Whelan Memorial Award for top driver of Governor's Plate Week 2026. Jenn Doyle's training wins added to the excitement.
The 15-dash Governor's Plate Night program generated an astonishing $254,239 in wagering, the largest single-card handle in the 150-year history of racing in Summerside. The Saturday total eclipsed the previous record, solidifying the event's significance in the racing community.
As the sun set on the thrilling races, the atmosphere at Red Shores Summerside buzzed with excitement. The livestream replay and the continued live racing on Tuesday at 6 p.m. promised more thrilling moments to come. The results of Saturday's harness racing can be viewed on the official website, offering fans a chance to relive the excitement and celebrate the achievements of these remarkable horses and their dedicated teams.
