Canada's 2009 Older Pacing Mare of the Year, Dreamfair Eternal, will be making her 2010 pari-mutuel debut Friday at Woodbine Racetrack, and her breeder-owner John Lamers has provided some insight
on his speedy Camluck mare.
In a recent interview with the Woodbine Entertainment Group, Lamers brings all of Dreamfair Eternal 's fans up to speed on what the six-year-old has been up to since her April 22 qualifier. Prior to that mile, the mare had been off since December 18 of last year.
"Well, she's with (trainer) Pat Fletcher. We did qualify her in (1:) 55 and change," said Lamers, who explained that the 2009 Roses Are Red winner would be dropped in to the upcoming Fillies and Mares Open Pace, which has been carded as Race 2 (7:50 p.m.) on Woodbine's Friday program.
"She's doing really well. She's up to her usual self. She just needs to see Dr. Goodrow. There are a few things, some little issues that she has because she is six years old. [She just needs] a little tune-up, but she's ready to go."
When asked whether the issues were new, Lamers explained that they were just run-of-the-mill issues. "Nope, these are the usual maintenance things," he explained. "Knees, hocks, ankles and [that] sort of thing."
Dreamfair Eternal's 2009 campaign was a special one for Lamers and the mare. She battled in 31 races and notched 17 victories, seven second-place finishes and a pair of thirds, good for over $622,000 in purse earnings. She lowered her mark to 1:49 during an Open at the Meadowlands. When asked whether the mare exceeded his expectations in 2009, Lamers was quick to answer.
"Absolutely. She was far better than what I thought -- a huge surprise," Lamers said. "I never thought that she would pace in (1:) 49. They way she does it and her attitude… in my opinion she's as good this year as she was last year."
In terms of her 2010 stakes schedule, Lamers explained that his lass is paid up to all the major dances, although fans of the small courses may be somewhat disappointed. "We're going to try to keep her away from the half-mile tracks," he said. "There's only one half-mile track [that I paid her up to] and that is later on in October."
When asked if there are any more future stars on the horizon from 'Eternal's family, Lamers answered with some unbridled optimism.
"Absolutely. There is a P Forty Seven two-year-old, his name is Dreamfair Kovu, my granddaughter named him. He's a chestnut, and the first chestnut that I have had, but he looks the part. Touch wood and all that, but he looks really good. Same attitude, same everything that the rest of the family has."
To view the harness racing entries for Friday's card of racing from Woodbine Racetrack, click here.