Robert Shepherd and Smooth Lou win Gold Cup & Saucer race

Driver Robert Shepherd and his horse, Smooth Lou, are the winners of this year's Guardian GoldCup&Saucer race.

Shepherd finished first out of the nine drivers who participated in the 62nd edition of the annual harness race, held Saturday night at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

"I grew up my whole life watching the race and seeing great Island horsemen win the race ...and people from away too," said Shepherd, who grew up in Stratford, P.E.I.

"It's one of themthings, being home in front of all your friends and family, having your grandmother and mother and father meet you at the winner's circle, and my brothers. It's quite a feeling."

A $60,000 purse will be distributed to participants according their placement in the race.

The five-year-old gelding finished the race at 1:51.1 after overtaking leader Somewhere Fancy at the1:24.1 mark.

It's the second year the COVID-19 pandemichas limited the number of people who could watch the race live. Just over 2,000 people were allowed to spectate. During normal times, the venue could host up to15,000 people.

It's the 16th overall career win for Smooth Lou, and the seventhout of 23 starts in the 2021 season.

Smooth Lou is trained by Shepherd's brother, Patrick, and its owned by Triple S Equine.

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