Dreamfair Mesa didn’t make it the races in his rookie season, but judging by tonight’s debut performance for owner/breeder John Lamers – he might be worth the wait.
The homebred son of Somebeachsomewhere-Dreamfair Zenyatta tuned up for Thursday’s debut at Woodbine Racetrack with a qualifying performance in which he was individually clocked in 2:00 at the Rexdale, Ont. oval on February 14.
Randy Waples got away fourth with Dreamfair Mesa while Flaherty cut out first-half fractions of :27 and :58.1. Waples had his charge first-over on the way to the half, and eventually they worked their way to the front. They were pressured by Century Churchill going into the final turn, and that foe showed a short lead while racing parked at the three-quarter marker in 1:27. Dreamfair Mesa battled on at the rail and regained the lead before drawing clear to win by a one-length margin over Flaherty in 1:54.4.
Pat Fletcher trains the sophomore who was sent off as the 3-5 favourite in the $14,000 conditioned affair.
In other news, one lucky HPI customer from Nova Scotia made a huge pari-mutuel score on the Thursday evening program.
The fan's $252 investment on Thursday's Jackpot Hi 5 wager netted a handsome return of $189,970.16.
The wager was a $0.20 part wheel on the combination of 4/1-3,6,8-9/1-3,6,8-9/1-3,5-10/1-3,5-10. The winning numbers were 4-1-3-7-9.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.