In what has become a familiar scene in recent weeks at Mohawk Racetrack, Mach Dreamer came storming from off the pace to capture Friday night’s $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for three-year-old colt pacers in 1:51.4 over a sloppy Campbellville oval
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The race set up perfectly for the son of Mach Three – Boy Meets Girl, who got away last from the outside post 10. Driver Rick Zeron sat patiently and watched Dalhousie Dave (Jody Jamieson) and Twin B Warrior (Randy Waples) exchange leads through a strong :27.1 first fraction.
Race favourite Big Bay Point (Tim Tetrick) made a move out from fourth in the second quarter and got right up to the leader before making a rare break in stride, which took him out of contention. Twin B Warrior continued with the lead but had been pushed past the half-mile marker in :54.4.
Future Million (Phil Hudon) then took his shot first-over on the last turn and confronted Twin B Warrior, who led past the third marker in 1:23.3 with Dalhousie Dave looking anxious in the pocket and Mach Dreamer beginning to roll from fourth-over as the field turned for home.
In the stretch, Future Million began to tire, which left clearance for Dalhousie Dave to exit the pocket and take his shot. That one was able to grab the lead briefly but eventually could not hold off Mach Dreamer, who closed like a runaway freight train from the back to pick up his fourth straight win.
Dalhousie Dave had to settle for the place spot with Stonebridge Tonic (Doug McNair) rallying for third and Twin B Warrior holding bravely for fourth. The winner returned $6.60 as the second choice in the field.
"I knew their was plenty of speed up front and that they were starting to come back to us a little bit in the third quarter,” said Zeron. “I thought I had a shot at that point and then I gave my colt a couple of death roars and he took off. He's getting better all the time and the more he wins the braver he gets."
The victory was the sixth overall in 15 starts this season for Mach Dreamer, who is trained by Murray Brethour for owner Stephen Scarff of Halifax, NS. The winner's share of the purse increased his seasonal earnings to just over $268,000.
For recaps and replays of tonight's Champlain Stakes for two-year-olds trotters, click here.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)