Dresden Raceway newcomer Takeapeek At Me stole the show in the featured $5,200 Preferred 3 Handicap Trot on Sunday afternoon, July 28.
Takeapeek At Me and driver Garrett Rooney landed in fourth ahead of last week's Preferred winner, Hot Fudge Sundae (Alfie Carroll), at the back of the compact field with the inside leavers duking it out to a :29.4 quarter. Rooney sent Takeapeek At Me first-up approaching the 1:01.1 half-mile mark and cleared to command down the backstretch with slight favourite Hot Fudge Sundae hot on his heels as they raced past three-quarters in 1:31.1. Those two took off in the stretch drive, with Takeapeek At Me holding for the half-length victory in 2:00.3. Zack To The Max (Andy Moore) finished more than three lengths back in third.
Coming off a victory at Clinton Raceway last weekend, Takeapeek At Me was the even-money second choice and paid $4.10 to win.
Trainer Jason Sherman co-owns the five-year-old Trixton gelding, who now has five wins from 24 starts this year, with Betty Sherman.
Sherman later reclaimed the streaking Journalistic for $9,500 after the seven-year-old pacer's sixth win from the Cameron McQueen stable. Rooney worked out the winning pocket trip in rein to the son of Sportswriter who collared pacesetter Jays N Tigers in 1:57.4. The popular pacer has been claimed seven times this year while putting together a record reading 13-6-4 from 30 starts.
A pair of No Contests marred Sunday's 10-race card with all wagers refunded in the seventh and ninth races.
The seventh race was called off for safety reasons after the first quarter when the race leader, Better Than Cash (Don Rankin Jr.), sustained a broken a line.
The No Contest in race nine was the result of an accident that occurred after the first quarter when Bernard Desmond's four-year-old pacer Hawk In Flight (Don Rankin Jr.) broke stride coming out of the turn and fell. Sand Walker (Dwain Spitzig) collided with him from behind. Trailer Blueberry Crush (Andy Moore) was able to get around the fallen horses while the accident siren was activated notifying the the rest of the field in front to pull up.
Rankin was checked by EMS and cleared to drive in the remaining race on the card.
Dresden Raceway reported via social media that Hawk In Flight was euthanized.
Please joined Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Hawk In Flight.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Dresden Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)