Sunday afternoon's (June 21) first-round Ontario Prospect Series events for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Dresden Raceway saw Dreaming Out Loud and Big Sir extend their win streaks to three in their respective $7,100 divisions.
Dreaming Out Loud ($12.40) overtook all five of his rivals in the first Prospect division, using a sustained brush to soundly defeat Grandpe Knows Best in 1:57.1.
Tyler Borth moved the son of Thinking Out Loud off the pegs from the rear of the field with well over a circuit to go in the one-mile journey, and the pair advanced gradually while 3-2 favourite Century Gigalo (Donnie Rankin Jr.) carved out a :58.2 opening half mile. While Grandpe Knows Best (Andy Moore) blitzed past Century Gigalo on the clubhouse turn en route to a three-length lead nearing three-quarters in 1:28, Dreaming Out Loud continued to gradually progress, working into second at the same juncture.
Dreaming Out Loud steadily cut into the new leader's margin on the final turn before seizing command in upper stretch and coasting clear by 2-1/2 lengths. Grandpe Knows Best was an isolated second, 12 lengths clear of Dover Seelster (Nicholas Boyd).
Trainer Keith Cullen shares ownership of Dreaming Out Loud with Chris Cain. Unraced at two, Dreaming Out Loud is now a perfect three-for-three in his career, with all of his races taking place at Dresden.
In the second Prospect division, Big Sir ($4.70) ran his win streak to three as well, employing the same front-pacing tactics that earned him victory at Hanover last week to score in 1:59.2.
Alfie Carroll sent Big Sir forward up the backstretch to clear Modern Writer (Borth) just beyond a :29 first quarter. After achieving control, the gelded son of Big Jim slowed the pace to a :59.2 half before the first-over Mr Cheeseman (Lorne House) — who pulled from third nearing the half — forced him to accelerate slightly on the second circuit.
Big Sir was nudged along to three-quarters in 1:29.2 and ultimately dismissed of Mr Cheeseman's first-over bid. In the end, Big Sir posted a three-length win over pocket rival Modeern Writer, while Mr Cheeseman faded to finish third.
Rebecca Geisel trains Big Sir, who is undefeated in three seasonal starts, for Rick Rier.
On the undercard, Gordon McDonnell registered a training hat trick, sending West River Cindy ($5.90, 2:02.2), Terra Cotta Lad ($5.00, 1:59.1) and Ideal Space ($4.30, 2:02.3) to the winner's circle. Tyler Borth was in the bike for all three of McDonnell's victories on the 10-race card.
After Hours Automotive Repair in Sarnia continued their sponsorship as they donated eight $100 gas cards for non stakes races. The local business owned by horseman Stewart McQueen is offering the cards as a random draw in each 3 horse field and a $50 gas card used in a random draw for each seven horse race. The cards are used as extra incentive to fill the fields.
The Mark Austin Pacing Series kicks off next week with 36 eligible horses in the eliminations. Post time Sunday (June 28) is 1 p.m. (EDT).
(with files from Dresden Raceway)
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Dresden Raceway.