After winning his elimination one week ago at Hanover Raceway, Krakatoa dominated his Dream Of Glory Trot rivals winning Saturday's $100,000 finale by over five lengths at Hanover Raceway.
Krakatoa, owned by Herb and Barb Wells of Bloomingwood Farms near Harriston won, the ninth annual event in 1:59.1.
There was a three-way battle for the lead into the first turn as Madencanadamatters (Ross Battin) in Post 1, Krakatoa and Randy Fritz in Post 2 and Northern Spark (Murray Brethour) in Post 7 battled for position. Madencanadamatter was first to the quarter pole in :30-seconds flat, but Fritz said he felt his three-year-old chomping on the bit so he decided the best place for his horse was on the lead.
The three-year-old son of Amigo Hall-Pretty Muscles controlled the pace from there hitting the half in :59.3 and the three-quarters in 1:29.1. Fritz had plenty in the tank as his charge increased his lead after the three-quarter pole to finish the mile with a five and a quarter length lead in 1:59.1. Anahar Chase (Stuart Sowerby) and Northern Spark were second and third.
This is the second Dream of Glory title for Fritz, who won the 2008 edition with Random Solution. Fritz joked this win felt different however, because he was a one-third owner of Random Solution, so the payday was slightly bigger that night.
The victory was Krakatoa's third in a row and fourth of the season in 10 outings, and helped lift his earnings to $96,150.
The $12,000 consolation went to Dthe Richard Griffiths-trained Dry Tears and Stuart Sowerby in 2:00.4.
Not only did the 6,000 fans witness a great Dream Of Glory championship, but they also witnessed a new three-year-old, and overall track record. Trainer and part-owner Dr. Ian Moore brought Malicious to Hanover for the non-winners of $3,000 last three starts event, and he didn’t disappoint.
The North America Cup participant led from start to finish in times of :26.2, :55.1, 1:24.1, and a mile in 1:53.2 breaking the overall track record of 1:53.4, set just four days earlier, by seven-year-old Chevron Hanover. The former three-year-old pacing colt mark of 1:55 was set by Uphill Battle in 1998. Lyons Geoff(Anthony Haughan) was three and a half lengths behind and Gothic Crusader (Stuart Sowerby) finished back in third.
Dr. Moore said he chose to bring his three-year-old colt to Hanover because his class is constantly going in 1:49 at Mohawk and he wanted to give him a confidence booster. Dr. Moore said he was thrilled to set the new three-year-old and overall track record, especially in front of such a huge crowd. He added the race surface was in fabulous shape, adding that things are done right in Hanover.
Trevor Henry guided the son of Bettors Delight-Silky, and all 6,000 in attendance knew something special was going to happen including Henry, as he got everything he could out of Malicious right down the stretch.
R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, NB and Serge Savard of Saint-Bruno, QC also share ownership of the new track record holder.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)