Despite a brief bobble amid his attack, Dreaming Out Loud ($2.60) proved the only two-leg winner in Mark Austin Memorial Pacing Series action, posting a 1:58 win in the fastest of three $5,000 second-round divisions contested Sunday (July 5) at Dresden Raceway.
In a complete reverse of tactics from his 14-length drubbing of his first-round rivals, Dreaming Out Loud stalked live cover in the second circuit before making his move off the home turn. The three-year-old Thinking Out Loud colt gave up 11 lengths to early pacesetter Mr Cheeseman through a :28.4 quarter before Tyler Borth slid him into a live flow behind River Dali (Andy Moore) past a :59.1 half.
After being towed into contention up the backstretch, Dreaming Out Loud broke stride briefly, but reset to mount a three-wide rally off stalled cover. Dreaming Out Loud collared Mr Cheeseman and drew away to defeat him by a length. River Dali finished third, 5-1/2 lengths farther back.
Trainer Keith Cullen co-owns Dreaming Out Loud, who remains undefeated through five career starts, with Chris Cain.
Ajknight ($5.20) recorded a pillar-to-post victory in his division, opening a clear margin over his six foes on the backstretch before narrowly staving off a hard-closing Coin Flip in 2:00.2. Garrett Rooney drove the three-year-old Warrawee Needy colt for Adrian and Janny Dimmers.
Six-year-old mare Macharita ($6.10) completed the trio of second-round Austin winners, securing the pocket from the second row and lifting in the stretch to reel in pacesetter Up To Spec in 1:58.3. After amassing 39 minor placings in her first 78 starts, Mike Whelan drove the daughter of Mach Three to her first career win for owner-trainer Walter Whelan.
To view Sunday's results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Dresden Raceway.