Eight gifted three-year-old pacers will be battling at Freehold Raceway on Labor Day in the $325,000 Cane Pace Final, the first leg in Pacing’s Triple Crown

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Vintage Master and his entry-mate Western Posse have labeled the 5-2 morning line favourites.

Vintage Master appears to be the stronger part of the entry with his most recent victory coming in the $677,665 Adios at the Meadows in Pennsylvania. He has only missed twice in hitting the board in 14 tries this year while bringing his lifetime bankroll to $973,022. His trainer Jimmy Takter is trying to become the first trainer in 23 years to win the Cane and Yonkers Trot (Judge Joe) in the same year. Driver Daniel Dube has the return call behind the son of Western Ideal and will begin from post two.

If I Can Dream fresh off two strong tallies in the Cane Pace elimination at Freehold Raceway and the Confederation Cup at Flamboro Downs is listed at 3-1 in the morning line. The Tracy Brainard trainee and Jimmy Morrill Jr. reigned son of Western Hanover tripped the teletimer in 1:51:4 in beating most of this Cane Pace final field.

If I Can Dream, in winning the Cane elimination became harness racing’s newest millionaire but will have to overcome post eight to add his name to the list of 54 previous Cane Pace winners.

Arctic Warrior who was the runner-up to If I Can Dream in the Cane elimination, has been tabbed at 7-2. A son of Blissfull Hall who was supplemented for $35,000 to have a chance of being a part of Cane Pace history will kick off from post five. His trainer Sam Beegle is making his debut in the Cane, hopes to win this and then go to the Little Brown Jug to fulfill a lifelong dream. Yannick Gingras who turned 30 on August 4, will steer and is looking for his first Cane Pace and first Triple Crown win ever.

Mr Wiggles who drew a bye as did Vintage Master in the Cane elimination by virtue of this year’s seasonal money earnings, will commence from post six and is coupled in the wagering with Johnny Z. They are marked at 6-1 in the early line.

Mr Wiggles most recently, was second in the Adios Final, won eliminations in both the Adios and Pepsi North America Cup and won the $500,000 Hoosier Cup in late May. That race gave driver Corey Callahan his biggest win ever. Trainer George Teague Jr. won the Cane with Total Truth in 2006, finished second with Southwind Lynx in 2007 and with Badlands Nitro in 2008.

$325,000 Cane Pace
1 - Western Posse – (pp1) George Brennan, 5-2
1A – Vintage Master - (pp2) – Daniel Dube, 5-2
2- Johnny Z – (pp4) - Cat Manzi, 6-1
2B- Mr Wiggles – (pp6) – Corey Callahan, 6-1
3 – Clear Vision – (pp3) – Dave Miller, 8-1
4- Arctic Warrior – (pp5) – Yannick Gingras, 7-2
5- Hail Storm – (pp7) – Andy Miller, 15-1
6 – If I Can Dream - (pp8) – Jim Morrill, Jr., 3-1

(Freehold Raceway)