The first ever divisions of the Prospect Series were contested as part of Hanover Raceway's Saturday (June 20) afternoon card.
The Prospect Series is open to two and three-year-olds sustained to the Ontario Sires Stakes program. Like the OSS program’s Gold and Grassroots events, Prospect Series events are numbered one through five and horses may only be entered in one of the corresponding events (i.e. Prospect Series No. 1, Grassroots Series No. 1, or Gold Series No. 1). However, should a Prospect Series leg fail to attract enough entries, horses can be entered in the corresponding Grassroots or Gold Series event.
In the first division, Doug McNair allowed Ryan Holliday and Rockabilly Barbie to carve the early fractions of :28.1 and :58.4 before popping the pocket on the backstretch with favoured Southwind Bayou and engaging the afterburners. Clearing to the lead after the 1:28.3 third quarter, Southwind Bayou kicked home in :28.4 under no urging down the stretch to win in 1:57.2 over Land Of Paradise (Brett MacDonald) with Rockabilly Barbie staying for show.
Rob Fellows trains Southwind Bayou (Sportswriter - Cozy Beach) for Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta., Yolanda Fellows of Rockwood and Arpad Szabo of Bradford, Ont. The win was the second this season in nine tries and third lifetime, pushing her career earnings to $27,510.
Jason Ryan watched how Doug McNair won that first division, and mapped out a very similar trip for Dreamadreamforme in the second Prospect division en route to the winner's circle. Ryan allowed favoured Capistrano (McNair) to make the front after leading through a :28.1 first quarter, sat patiently after a :58 half and then right-lined heading down the backstretch. Capistrano had no response for that backside brush, nor did anyone else in the field as Dreamadreamforme opened up to a six-length advantage at the 1:28.2 third station and paced home well in hand to win by five in 1:58.1 over Maching Mary (J Harris) and Prideinmystride (Holliday)
Dreamadreamforme (Betterthancheddar - Dream Seeker) picked up her first win of the year and third lifetime for trainer Jack Darling, who owns as Jack Darling Stables Ltd. The win lifted her lifetime bankroll to $24,565.
The fastest of the three divisional winners came in the third and final split as 7-2 shot High Roller Duke (Ryan Holliday) repelled the stiff challenge of 1-9 favourite Highland Salsa (Scott Young) for a well-earned 1:56.3 win over Fast Thoughts (Harris) and In Land Beach (McNair).
Lacey McCabe trains the Glenview Livestock homebred High Roller Duke (Bettors Delight - Mystique Beachbum), who also picked up her third lifetime win on Saturday, and second in three seasonal starts. The winner's share of the purse gives her earnings of $18,164.
Throughout the summer, horses competing in the Prospect Series will accumulate points toward one of nine spots in their respective $15,000 final, to be held on Friday, September 25 at Grand River Raceway. As with the corresponding events, horses are only able to declare into one postseason finale — either the Prospect Series Final, Grassroots Semi-Final or Super Final.
Starting fees for the Prospect Series are $100 and each division will race for $6,500 plus starting fees. Like all events conducted under the AGCO Rules of Racing, horses must meet the added-money qualifying times to be eligible for the Prospect Series.
For additional information about the Prospect Series, visit the Ontario Sires Stakes website or contact OSS program administrator Allison Glynn at [email protected].
To view the results from the Saturday card at Hanover Raceway, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.