Lunging for the lead late, Dreaming Out Loud scored a narrow victory in the quickest of the two $7,100 divisions of the Prospect Series Three-Year-Old Colt Pace on Friday (Sept. 18) at Grand River Raceway.
Driver Tyler Borth secured a pocket trip for Dreaming Out Loud, sitting off a :27.1 first quarter set by 2-5 favourite Big Sir. Big Sir soon faced contention to a :58 half when Three Trick Gainer tipped first over to try for the lead and remained at the pacesetter’s wheel to three-quarters in 1:26.4. Three Trick Gainer’s wheels began to spin into the final turn as Big Sir led into the stretch, but clung to command as Dreaming Out Loud surged through the passing lane. At the finish, the three-year-old Thinking Out Loud colt had a neck in front at the end of a 1:56 mile. Big Sir settled for second with Three Trick Gainer another two lengths behind in third.
Co-owned by trainer Keith Cullen with Chris Cain, Dreaming Out Loud won his seventh race from 11 starts, earning $29,267. He paid $8.80 to win.
Acrobat Hanover catapulted off a quick pace to score a half-length victory in the other Prospect Series Division as the 9-5 favourite.
Positioned fifth by 12 lengths to a :27.1 first quarter, Acrobat Hanover gradually gained ground on speedster Dylans Bank moving to a :56.2 half. Pocket-sitter Usurper vacated his spot at the pegs moving to three-quarters in 1:26 as Acrobat Hanover wound his bid to race third moving into the final turn. Usurper edged to the lead into the stretch but could not hold off Acrobat Hanover as the Sportswriter gelding slid to a 1:56.4 win. Yannick Seelster swept from the back to take third.
Owned by Brad Gray, Acrobat Hanover won his second race from eight starts, earning $10,257. Jason Ryan drove the $5.70 winner for trainer Corey Giles.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.