Dan Walker, co-owner of Cold Creek Standardbred, recorded his first training victory on Sunday, June 15 at Georgian Downs as Cold Creek Pantera nailed 1-9 favourite Bunkhouse Boss on the wire to break his maiden.

Jonathan Drury slotted Cold Creek Pantera into the three-hole quickly in the $8,000 fourth race, but the gelding was gapped by several lengths as Dancinonthedrive (Austin Sorrie) cut the quarter of :29.1 with Bunkhouse Boss in the pocket. The field condensed again before the half in :58.3, and action kicked off as Bunkhouse Boss rocketed out of the pocket and took over before three-quarters in 1:27.2.

Cold Creek Pantera followed him off the cones but was quickly left uncovered as Bunkhouse Boss tried to storm away from the field on the final turn. Cold Creek Pantera unleashed a closing rally at the top of the stretch and reeled the favourite back in, reaching up at the line to prevail by a nose in 1:56.3. Dancinonthedrive finished third. The winner returned $14.20.

Cold Creek Pantera, a homebred for Walker and Cold Creek Standardbred, is now one-for-11 lifetime. The son of Panther Hanover-Mach Miss debuted earlier this season at three with Murray Brethour training him. Walker took over conditioning duties for the gelding's June starts.

Walker, a 62-year-old resident of Grafton, Ont., made his training debut in 2011 and has compiled 39 starts. He has sent out two Cold Creek horses this season – the other being Cold Creek Espero – which were his first pari-mutuel training starts since 2013.

To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Georgian Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)