Trevor Henry scored a driving double on Saturday night at Hanover Raceway in the $17,400 Dream Of Glory eliminations for three-year-old Ontario sired trotters
that are non-winners of $75,000 (fillies $100,000) lifetime as of November 1, 2010.
Starlitestarbrite turned back favourite Psychic Turmoil (Doug Brown) and held off Sir Tyron (Ross Battin) and Tymal Colossus (Scott Wray) to win the first elimination in 1:59.3 by a quarter length. Driver Trevor Henry shares ownership of the Angus Hall-Keystone Starbrite gelding with Daniel McCann of Parkhill, Ont. He paid $11.10 to win as the 9-2 fourth choice.
Fresh off a pair of Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots victories, Traverse Seelster and driver Doug Brown captured the second elimination in wire-to-wire fashion. The 3-2 second choice prevailed in 1:58.3 by two and a half lengths over favourite Count Strike (Bruce Richardson) and pocket-sitter B C Lulu (Ross Battin). Frank O’Reilly trains the gelded son of Angus Hall-Travelin Lavec, last year’s Balanced Image champion, for owners Franco Cianci of St-Laurent, Isidoro Russo of Montreal and Vincenzo Monticciolo of Laval, Que. He paid $5 to win for the fourth consecutive time.
High Stakes Banker survived a long first over journey to win the next elimination in 2:00 flat. Ross Battin guided the homebred Here Comes Herbie-Bankers Princess gelding to the one length victory for trainer Terry Kerr and owners Bet Max Stables Inc. of Casco and Benenati Inc. of Clinton Township, Michigan. Sent postward as the longest shot on the board at 14-1, he paid $30 for the upset. Frill Seeker (Doug Brown) finished second and pacesetter Mutinys Child (Scott Young) was third.
Henry found himself back in the winner’s circle after capturing the final elimination with Herecomesthechief in 2:00.2. The gelded son of Here Comes Herbie-Heather Rules advanced first over from third and collared pacesetter P C La Mousse (Ross Battin) at the wire. Pocket-sitter Tymal Lennon (Stephen Byron) finished third. Murray Brethour trains and co-owns the gelding with Benbar Stables of Oakville, Ont. He paid $11.40 to win as the 9-2 fourth choice.
In other action, Noble Seelster front-stepped his way to a 1:56.4 triumph in the $12,350 Hanover Claiming Series Final for colts and geldings. Tymal Winsome (Bob McClure) stalked the leader and finished a half-length behind in second while Million Teen (Trevor Henry) rallied wide for third. Ryan Holliday drove the eight-year-old Camluck-Nala gelding to victory for trainer Kathryn Cochrane and owners Patrick McIlhargey of Lucan and Steven Besterd of London, Ont. He paid $18.90 to win for the 8-1 upset.
The $100,000 Dream Of Glory will take place next Saturday, July 30. Here is a look at the field for the final in post position order:
1. Starlitestarbrite
2. Count Strike
3. Traverse Seelster
4. Sir Tyson
5. Herecomesthechief
6. High Stakes Banker
7. P C La Mousse
8. Frill Seeker
AE1. Tymal Lennon
AE2. Tymal Colossus
For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Hanover Raceway.