Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi's millionaire pacer Southwestern Dream achieved a career milestone at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, by paying his 50th lifetime visit to the winner's circle.
Southwestern Dream was sent off as the favourite against seven mid-level conditioned foes, going for a purse of $17,000. The nine-year-old son of Cambest took control immediately after the wings closed, and made every call a winning one, stopping the clock in 1:52.1.
The pacer, who has been trained by Ron Burke since Spring 2013, has been a blue collar sort, earning most of his million dollars in overnight events. It was one of five driving wins for George Brennan.
In other news, Trevor Stafford's Bigtown Hero was dominating in victory today. He drafted behind the speed of Here We Go Again until just beyond three-quarters, then erupted home in :26.2, going on to a nine length win against mid-level conditioners. He stopped the clock in 1:48.3, just one-fifth of a second off the track record for aged geldings. He was driven by Hall of Farmer Ron Pierce.
(With files from Harrah's Philadelphia)