Front-stepping efforts by Teen Tattler and Sweet Cheeseus landed the odds-on favourites in the winner’s circle of their respective divisions of the Mark Austin Memorial Pacing Series on Sunday afternoon (June 11) at Dresden Raceway.
In the division for pacing horses and geldings, Teen Tattler took control from the pylon post and clung to the front all the way around. Driver Garrett Rooney rolled the three-year-old Sportswriter gelding through fractions of :29.2, 1:00.3 and 1:30.2 under minimal pressure until the stretch drive. Pocket-sitter Moe Hammed Dali mounted his challenge on the pacesetter in the lane but came a neck short in a 2:00 mile while Better Off Single settled for third off a first-over push, beaten another four lengths, with Daylyn Ryeson fourth. George McClure conditions Teen Tattler for owners Catherine McClure and Ruth Hastie. He paid $2.60 to win.
Rooney applied the same tactics in the division for pacing fillies and mares by sending 1-5 favourite Sweet Cheeseus and coasting down the highway. The four-year-old Betterthancheddar mare carved a clip of :29.1, 1:00 and 1:30 before disposing of her peers by 6-3/4 lengths in 2:00.1. Lilly Clare took second with Nadia Seelster swooping from last for third and Dear Birdie finishing fourth. Kathryn Cochrane trains Sweet Cheeseus for owner-breeder Steven Besterd. She paid $2.40 to win.
A pair of second-leg divisions for the Prospect Series Three-Year-Old Filly Trot also went postward. Cash Deals (2:03.3 winning mile; $2.10 to win) led pillar to post for trainer-driver Mario Baillargeon and owner Thestable Cash Deals Group. Owner-trainer-driver Daniel O’Brian also strolled down the road with his charge Sant Ambroggio (2:01.3; $5) to take the second division.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Dresden Raceway.