Dalhousie Dave maintained his perfect record in the $60,000 Summertime Pacing Series Final on Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack and did it in style with a stakes record 1:49.4 effort for driver Jody Jamieson
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Leaving from Post 2 in the field of 10, the son of Astreos - My Precious Katie, a winner in his second leg division of the series, got away fourth in the early stages and watched Outrageous Art (Randy Waples) and Dreamlands Art (Rick Zeron) exchange leads through a quarter in :26.4 and a half in :55.2.
As the field raced towards the far turn, Jamieson asked his colt to make his move and they floated up to challenge Dreamlands Art at the third station in 1:23.1. Once the field straightened up for home, Dalhousie Dave kicked it into another gear and easily powered past the pacesetter to win going away.
Dalhousie Dave used a punishing :26.3 final quarter to lock up the win over Outrageous Art, who came back on to finish second. It was Dreamlands Art narrowly holding off Classic Rock Nroll (Mark MacDonald) for the show spot. The winner returned $9.00 for the victory.
The 1:49.4 clocking lowered the previous stakes record of 1:50.3, which was established by Todd J H Hanover in the 2008 edition of the Summertime Series.
“I was really in a terrible situation. It wasn’t really that good a drive,” said Jamieson afterwards in a winner’s circle interview. “He overcame a tough trip against some good horses. I’ve been confident in this horse all along. He was second to Sportswriter on his bottom line. Coming into tonight, after he manhandled these horses last week, I really thought he was deserving of the favourite status. You know, nine bucks was a gift I think.”
With the win, Dalhousie Dave, who was unraced at two, extended his unbeaten streak to six for trainer Tony O'Sullivan and owners John and Jim Fielding of Toronto, ON. The winner’s share of the purse bumped his bankroll to just over $77,000.
"He trained okay, but he was nothing great. He was very green and I probably didn't give him the benefit of the doubt,” said O'Sullivan of Dalhousie Dave, who came into his care early this year. “The first time I schooled him here myself before he qualified in :54 [1:54.4 on May 6] I knew then that he was definitely better than I thought.
“He’s proved me wrong. He’s gotten better and better. To me, he’s a pleasant surprise.”
O’Sullivan indicated that 'Dave' will head to the Canadian Breeders Championships (eliminations on Saturday, July 17) and likely step up into the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)
was a great drive actually
was a great drive actually with only one horse deserving of favourite status over this one and that was the case