The Dream of Glory final is set after four eliminations on Saturday night at Hanover Raceway.
The highlight of the night was in race three, the second $12,000 elimination, when Hemi Seelster led from start to finish, setting a new track record for three-year-old male trotters of 1:56.4. The time is one-fifth of a second better than Abbey Road C’s record set in the 2002 Dream of Glory eliminations.
Afterwards, trainer John Bax said he considers the Dream of Glory to be one of the premier racing events in the province, and says it is held on, what he believes, is the best surface in Ontario.
When asked if the Holiday Road gelding had any more in the tank, Bax said he went as fast as he had to.
It appeared Hemi Seelster and Kadabrasnewrecruit controlled the pace, until Namesmuscle left the rail just before the three-quarter marker to put some pressure on the leaders. Hemi Seelster and Kadabrasnewrecruit responded finishing the mile 1-2 with Namesmuscle finishing third.
Steve Byron drove Hemi Seelster for Bax's Parkhill Stud Farm and Matthew Bax of Campbellville, Ont. and partners John Houston of Cobourg, Ont., and Goin To The Show Stable of Peterborough, Ont.
The first elimination winner was Judy The Beauty and trainer/driver Keith Jones in 1:59.2 for owner Randy Zhok of Dover Centre, Ont. Parkhill Lancelot and Eternal Quest finished second and third, respectively.
Sumthintotalkabout and driver Ross Battin won elimination three in 1:59.4 for trainer Steve Bossence of London, Ont. and co-owner Steven Palermo of Brampton, Ont. Jayport All Muscle was second and El Diablo Hall finished third.
Ill Stay Here won the final elimination in 2:01.1 for trainer Colin Johnson and owners Thomas Kyron of Toronto, Ont. and Debbie Element of Rockwood, Ont. Driver Ryan Holliday said afterwards his filly wanted to go faster than he wanted her to, and he hopes for a good post position in the final. Its Huw You Know finished second and Pridecrest was third.
The track record for three-year-old trotting fillies was also broken on Saturday when the Byron-driven and Bax-trained Southwind Champane won a conditioned race in 1:58.1. The daughter of Muscle Hill shaved one-fifth of a second off Majic Trend's divisional record. She is also owned by Parkhill Stud Farm, along with Glengate Farms of Campbellville, Ont. and Gordon Wright of Charlotte, Michigan.
The Dream Of Glory post positions were drawn in front of the live crowd and the horses will line up for the $75,100 final as follows:
1. Ill Stay Here
2. Its Huw You Know
3. Hemi Seelster
4. Sumthintotalkabout
5. Jayport All Muscle
6. Judy The Beauty
7. Kadabrasnewrecruit
8. Parkhill Lancelot
AE1. Eternal Quest
AE2. El Diablo Hall
On Dream of Glory Day, the doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with a beef BBQ and live band on the flat roof, plus the card includes the Ontario Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies and fireworks after the races.
Post time Saturday, August 1 is 6:15 p.m. (one hour earlier than normal).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)