If there is one trainer who can never be left out of a Dream of Glory conversation, it has to be Frank O’Reilly.
The Guelph, Ontario resident picked up his hat trick victory in the signature event at Hanover Raceway in 2011 with Traverse Seelster. That horse became the first ever to sweep the Balanced Image Trot as a two-year-old and the Dream of Glory at three.
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O’Reilly will relinquish that title this year, as last year’s Balanced Image co-champions are ineligible for the Dream of Glory. This year, O’Reilly is hoping for a Dream of Glory victory ride with Midfield Magic.
The son of Kadabra is owned by the same connections of last year’s champion, Franco Cianci, Isidoro Russo, and Vincenzo Monticciolo, as well as John Fielding, who co-owned 2003 Dream of Glory winner Armbro Amaze.
Midfield Magic currently sits sixth in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series ranks and has earned over $60,000 as a sophomore. He has recorded two wins and a total of six on-the-board finishes from 10 seasonal starts (one of his wins came in April during a preliminary leg of Woodbine Racetrack's Tie Silk Series). Midfield Magic recently competed in the lucrative Goodtimes Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack, but battled sickness and was forced to miss the consolation.
O’Reilly explained his colt “raced really good in London" during an OSS Gold elim on May 18, but that he has had ulcer problems since.
"He’s battled sickness, but he’s definitely moving in the right direction," O'Reilly said. "He’ll be ready to do some trotting in the [Dream of Glory] eliminations.”
On his feelings towards his success in the Dream of Glory, O’Reilly was humble in stating, “It’s always a great sign to have one good enough to go. I’m just thrilled to have one good enough again this year. I love racing in Hanover, and the Dream of Glory; it’s been good to me.”
(Hanover)
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