The 2011 debut for Slave Dream is one that trainer Frank O’Reilly would like to forget about, but Monday’s follow-up effort at Woodbine Racetrack in the $35,000 Preferred Trot gave O’Reilly plenty of reason
to stick out his chest.
Last year’s upset winner in the Nat Ray Invitational on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands, who broke in his first start of the season at Woodbine, tripped out and got the job done in Monday’s second start off the bench.
Sylvain Filion got the call behind Slave Dream, and Filion ordered the six-year-old son of Pearsall Hanover-Hungarie F to take an early seat off the speed while Celebrity Cowboy shot to the engine and laid down a first quarter clocked in :26.4. Rose Run Hooligan tucked into the two-hole, but he was out and rolling as the field made its way into the backstretch. Rose Run Hooligan cleared without a fight, and he cruised past the mid-way point in a :57-second clip.
Kashs Caviar popped out of the three-hole and went after the leader as the field headed into the final turn, and hot on his heels was Slave Dream. Kashs Caviar showed a short lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:27 after wrestling away command from Rose Run Hooligan, but Slave Dream swung off cover down the stretch and drew away to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55. Kashs Caviar, though bearing out badly in the lane, was second best. Celebrity Cowboy re-emerged late and took home third prize.
Franco Cianci of St-Laurent and Isidoro Russo of Montreal, QC share ownership on the 21-time winner, who banked $367,085 last season. To date, the gelding has stashed away close to $750,000.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.
Slave Dream looked real good
Slave Dream looked real good to me, brushing late in the stretch near the wire. Got a feeling that he's gonna be heard from for a while.