In his final year of racing, 14-year-old Dreamfair Van Dam is showing no signs of slowing down. On Saturday (June 15) he picked up his third win of the season and has finished in the top two in his last five starts.
Competing in the $1,400 Winners Over top class on Saturday's card at Northside Downs, Dreamfair Van Dam and driver Gerard Kennedy left strongly as the wings of the starting gate folded...but not as strongly as last week's winner in this class, favoured Brother John (Randy Getto). Brother John fronted the field of five through the :29.3 opener and then felt pressure from Sly Baran (Joseph Poirer) as the midway point was reached in :59.4.
Wildcat Jet (Mark Pezzarello) was situated second over behind Sly Baran heading for the third station and then flipped the three-wide switch down the backside. Brother John was still in command through a 1:30.1 third panel. With Sly Baran less of an issue, Brother John attempted to carry Wildcat Jet wide into that far turn while still on the lead. That move, however, allowed clear sailing for Dreamfair Van Dam to shoot along the rail before the stretch and claim the lead turning for home. A :29.1 final quarter was more than enough to to trip the timer in 1:59.3, a length and a half to the good over Wildcat Jet with Brother John completing the top trio.
Heather Hawkins trains and manages Dreamfair Van Dam under a racing lease. The Artsplace brother to Hall of Famer Dreamfair Eternal sports 44 lifetime wins and more than $119,000 in earnings.
To view the charted results for Saturday's card of harness racing at Northside, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.