New Rules established himself as one of the main horses to beat in the 2023 Dream Of Glory Trot after notching the fastest elimination win on Saturday (July 29) at Hanover Raceway with the largest margin of victory.
Austin Sorrie sent New Rules forward off the gate in the third $7,500 Dream Of Glory elim and raced the 7-5 second choice like a 1-9 lead-pipe cinch. After a :28.4 opener and :59.1 half, New Rules found a new gear down the backside and hit the third station in 1:27.3. A wrapped-up 30-second closer was more than enough to seal the deal and hit the wire in 1:57.3. Favoured Darbyshire (Paul MacKenzie) was more than five lengths back in second with Cassius Hanover (Jason Ryan) unable to deliver a knockout blow to his foes to finish third.
Now a four-time winner in his career, New Rules (Lookslikeachpndale - Mini Her) is trained by his co-owner Marcel Barrieau of Cambridge, Ont. along with Gestion Mastel Inc, Longueil, Que. He paid $4.80 to win while lifting his lifetime bankroll to $68,778.
Honourable mention for speed goes to the winner of the first elimination, that being The Hazelton. That sophomore trotting colt was the only winner to race over a 'good' surface from rain earlier in the day, but that track condition was no concern for the Mark Etsell pupil. Bob McClure played catch-me-if-you-can with The Hazelton's rivals and that challenge wasn't met by anyone on this day. The Hazelton powered through panels of :29, :59.4 and 1:29 before sprinting home in :29.1 for the 1:58.1 tally over Resolve To Win (Scott Young) and Floyd The Freak (Ed Hensley).
Co-owned by Etsell along with Terry Devos of Langton, Graham Hopkins of Chesley and Peter Porter of Port Dover, Ont., The Hazelton (Muscle Mass - Too Good For You) has been a model of consistency this season with a 6-1-1 record from eight sophomore appearances. Lifetime, his record his 10-1-1 in 13 starts with $110,630 in earnings. As the 4-5 choice, he paid $3.70 to win.
The Great Reset captured the other Dream Of Glory elimination, winning nearly wire-to-wire for trainer-driver Lorne House. After Oceanview Massey (Tyler Borth) landed on top early, House moved the The Great Reset to the front down the backside and it was lights out for the competition from there. With initial fractions of :29.3, 1:01.3 and 1:31.1, The Great Reset won by more than two lengths in 2:00.3 with lots left in the tank for next week's final.
Stonebridge Bomber finished second but was placed fifth for causing interference to Century Jeanie and driver Lormer McClure. The connections of Stonebridge Bomber have filed an appeal, and as a result the field for the Dream Of Glory final is yet to be finalized.
House and Chantal Ruijs of Georgian Bluffs, Ont. don't have to worry about that appeal, as The Great Reset punched his ticket to the final with his second win of the season and third lifetime. The son of Resolve - Dont Talk Back now sports $65,105 in career earnings. His supporters received $2.60 to win.
For results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Hanover, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.