Summer Indian swept to command around his filly stablemate early on and cruised to victory in the 11th edition of the $100,000 Dream Of Glory Trot, Hanover Raceway's marque event of the summer meet.
When the wings of the gate folded, Majic Trend, the lone filly in Saturday's stake final, fired to command from post four under Bruce Richardson's guidance. However, her lead was short-lived as fellow John Bax trainee Summer Indian and driver Stephen Byron pulled the pocket and swept to command, hitting the opening quarter mark in :28.3.
The popular elimination winner led the way past middle splits of :59 and 1:27.4 while Tymal Oh So Nice and Bob McClure advanced first up from mid-pack. Meanwhile, Majic Trend and the Ross Battin-driven Northern Kingdom, who won their elimination last weekend in a dead-heat, broke stride along the pylons and moved into the safety lane. That left Tymal Oh So Nice a gapping two-hole to settle into around the final turn.
Tymal Oh So Nice continued his pursuit of the leader down the stretch, but Summer Indian remained strong on top and opened up three lengths to win in 1:57.4. Tymal Oh So Nice stayed for second. Coming on for third was the Mark Etsell-driven Oaklea Uptown, who drew in off the also eligible list with the other elimination winner The Golden Child scratched.
Summer Indian paid $3.70 to win as the 4-5 favourite.
"I didn't expect the filly to leave that well, but with Mark [Etsell]'s horse [The Golden Child] out that changed things a little bit," noted Bax after the victory. "I think Mark would have pushed the issue early and with us having an inside post we could control things."
Summer Indian provided Bax with his second Dream Of Glory trophy. The Peterborough, Ont. conditioner previously won the 2009 edition with Agusto.
"It's great when I can share it with owners like my 77-year-old partner here. He's been with me for 25 to 30 years and he loves the horses and he fits in well up here. It's just a labour of love for him."
The Majestic Son-A Touch Of Frost gelding earned his fourth win in 12 starts this year for Ontario owners Parkhill Stud Farm and Goin To The Show Stable of Peterborough, John Hayes of Sharon, and John Houston of Cobourg. His seasonal earnings climbed to $75,600.
The victory for Byron was his third in the Dream Of Glory, tying Ross Battin for the most among reinsmen. The resident of Thornton, Ont. also won with Bax's Augusto in 2009 and Norm Dunstan trainee The Mad Duke in 2007.
House Money ($7.40) won the $15,000 consolation earlier on the card in 1:59.4 with Dave Boughton in the bike for trainer and co-owner Shane Arsenault of Waterdown, Ont. and partner Louis Arsenault of Freelton, Ont.
The Angus Hall-Emmamazing gelding established the lead from post two after the popular inside starter, P C Firecracker with Curtis Clements, broke stride. He then strolled by early fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.4 while P C Firecracker caught the short field and advanced first up. P C Firecracker applied pressure into the backstretch and edged out in front as they raced to the third quarter mark in 1:29.2. However, House Money fought back around the final turn and held on to win by three-quarters of a length over his main rival. Hardly Lucky and Garrett Rooney finished third while Gus Is All Lane and George Zirnis rounded out the field.
House Money earned his second win of the year in 10 outings while bumping his seasonal bankroll to $19,050.
Well over 3,000 race fans filed into the grandstand at Hanover Raceway for the night’s festivities, which included Tara Oaks carriage rides, a rooftop barbecue, live music from The Crippled Ducks, lots of special prize draws and a massive fireworks display following the races.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.