Colonial Downs opened its 14th harness racing season Saturday on a damp, cool afternoon, but Dan O’Mara’s Dreamanotherdream and Jason MacDougall’s Willin Dylan didn’t mind the weather as they each scored come-from-behind division victories in the Hal Belote Memorial Trotting Series
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Willin Dylan’s win came over a track labeled 'good' while Dreamanotherdream’s came after the track condition was downgraded to sloppy.
After starting from Post 10 in the first division, MacDougall’s trotter was seventh heading into the top of the stretch, six lengths behind Lee Wind. Red Rocks, another O’Mara trainee, stormed past Lee Wind early in the stretch and opened up what seemed like a comfortable four length cushion. Willin Dylan came up strong on the outside as the finish neared and passed Red Rocks in time to gain victory in 1:57.4. The four-year-old CR Kinetic gelding won by one and a half lengths in earning just his second triumph this year. Red Rocks took second and Blue Boy Yankee was third.
In 2010, Willin Dylan won 10 of 13 races for over $86,000 in purse earnings.
In the later division, Dreamanotherdream had a similar trip to Willin Dylan, though the comeback was less dramatic. The five-year-old Dream Vacation gelding was fifth coming out of the turn, but was within three lengths of front stepping Viking Mia. In mid-stretch, O’Mara’s trotter made his move and ended up crossing two lengths better than fast-closing Techalong in 1:59. Concertino, who also closed with a rush, took third.
In the next two series legs, the distance of each division race will increase to one and one-quarter miles.
Colonial Downs presents its annual “mixed breed” card of racing on Sunday. A non-betting thoroughbred race will kick things of at 1 p.m. followed by a pari-mutuel steeplechase race at 1:28 p.m. The regular 10-race harness card will commence at 2:10 p.m.
(Colonial Downs)