The Mark Austin Pacing Series final is set to be a battle this Sunday with a field of seven vying for the lion’s share of the $14,900 purse at Dresden Raceway.
The Jack Darling-owned and trained Toxic Hanover has been listed as the 6-5 morning line favourite for driver Tyler Borth.
The three-year-old Somebeachsomewhere colt won his first Austin Series elimination in 1:58.3 and was second to Premier Rockstar in last week’s second elimination.
“I’m so happy that Dresden has made this series in Mark’s memory,” said Darling, adding, “He was a really good friend and business partner, I miss him every day.”
Darling went on to say, "We’ve got some very good horses in this field and it should be a great finish. I’m excited that I had a horse to fit the conditions of this series.”
Premier Rockstar and Nagle are ready to claim the Austin Series title for their own as well.
Premier Rockstar is listed as the 7-5 second favourite from post four for Premier and Associates of Howell Michigan and trainer Robert Young. The three-year-old A Rocknroll Dance gelding will have the driving services of Scott Young after coming off a win last week in the Austin Series elimination in 1:58 and a first-place finish in the Sharpes Series Final in Hanover in 1:56.1.
Nagle and trainer/driver Keith Jones will score from post five for owner Jody Simmons. The three-year-old Dali gelding won his Austin elimination in 1:58.2 last week and was second by a head to Premier Rockstar in the Sharpes Final in Hanover.
Mark Austin started his training career at Dresden in the 1980s, where he gained notoriety by breaking legendary trotter A Worthy Lad for Dr. Joe Johnston. The Chatham native then moved to Windsor where he stables with Darling and eventually moved to Fergus. Austin trained horses like Sparky Mark, Fool Me Once and Hosit The Colors.
The trainer was only 54 when he passed away suddenly in 2014. His wife Julie and daughters Paula and Paige will be at Dresden Sunday to present the winning driver with an award.
Post time for Sunday's program is set for 1:30 p.m.
(With files from Dresden Raceway)