When the best older trotters in North America compete in the $300,000 Nat Ray on August 5 at the Meadowlands Racetrack, last year’s winner, Slave Dream, will not be lining up behind the gate

.

Slave Dream, a six-year-old son of Pearsall Hanover--Hungarie F, had surgery to remove a chip out of his front-right ankle following his third-place finish in the $220,750 Titan Cup on July 2.

Trainer Frank O’Reilly confirmed that the lifetime earner of $895,486 will have the rest of the summer off to recover, and hopes to have Slave Dream ready for the Breeders Crown on October 29 at Woodbine Racetrack.

“He’s on stall rest right now,” O’Reilly noted. “It wasn’t a major surgery. He had a small chip on the top of his ankle which we had to look after. He wasn’t lame on it, but it was puffy and we had to do what’s best for the horse.”

Slave Dream, a 22-time winner from 65 career starts, will begin his rehabilitation by utilizing treadmill water therapy prior to resuming training.

O’Reilly, a resident of Orton, Ont., was disappointed to miss the Maple Leaf Trot, which took place this past Saturday at Mohawk.

“That was heartbreaking, to be honest,” he said. “You get horses ready all winter and prepare them for big races. To miss a race like the Maple Leaf Trot in our backyard is discouraging, but we have to do what’s best for the animal.”

O’Reilly went on to comment about the misfortunes his star trotter has had to contend with.

“He’s just a bad luck horse,” O’Reilly said. “Something always comes up with him. He’s six, so he’s got a few bumps and bruises here and there like any other horse his age, but he’s all heart. He just wants to win and he’s got such a desire to please you. There is no way you cannot like a horse like him. He’s an incredible creature.”

Slave Dream scored his 1:52 lifetime best in last year’s Nat Ray. He is owned by Franco Cianci, Isidoro Russo and Vincenzo Monticciolo.

(WEG)

Related Stories

• "Every Fight He Has Is A Title Fight"