Keep The Dream (Travis Bowman) prevailed in a thrilling three-horse photo finish to capture the $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Running Aces on Saturday (July 18).
The five-year-old Mach Three mare got away near the back of the pack, then moved into third-over position at the half, swung three-wide around the final bend and flashed a :29.1 finishing panel to edge Imfasterthanu (Nick Roland) by a head and Kiss On The Lips (Gerry Longo) by a head in 1:55.3. Owned by Dr. James Findlay of Maple Ridge, B.C., Keep The Dream now has 15 career triumphs and has earned $134,791. It was her second win in four tries versus Open Mares at Running Aces.
The co-feature was a $6,500 Open II Pace for males and the three-year-old Linkjack Hanover (Rick Magee) continued to impress with his 11th victory in 17 tries to go with five place finishes. Owner/trainer Jeff Ryan was out of conditions and forced to enter the Open II, but his Allamerican Native colt was up to the task topping Bunkerhill Bill (Tony Succarotte) by three-quarters of a length, with Chewy Baca (Gerry Longo) garnering the show dough. Dead last at the three-quarter pole, Magee and Linkjack Hanover picked off seven foes in succession during a :28.4 final quarter for the upset win at 7-1 odds.
A pair of $5,500 Minnesota-sired three-year-old paces were also carded. Relentless Spirit (Lemoyne Svendsen) upset Moonshinenmonkeys (Tim Maier) in the filly split, winning in 1:55.3 at 6-1 odds. It was the second straight win in just three lifetime starts for Relentless Spirit, who is owned by Edward Gutin and trained by Bob Lems.
The colts division also was clocked in 1:55.3 with favoured Toatsmygoats (Rick Magee) holding off Imgoodatwhatido (Travis Bowman) and Willystayrwillgo (Gerry Longo). It was the initial 2015 win for Toatsmygoats, who won seven of eight races at two and was the state champion. David Flinn trains the winner for the Van Otterloo Stables.
(With files from Running Aces)