Regardless of the outcome, the stellar rookie season of pacing colt Woodmere Stealdeal will conclude at his home track this Sunday (Oct. 18).
Truro Raceway hosts Maritime Breeders Stakes for two-year-olds on Sunday, with Woodmere Stealdeal aiming for his 13th straight win in one of two $15,000 divisions. The change in format of the Maritime Breeders for two-year-olds has dropped the eliminations and final in favour of divisions, with the three-year-olds slated to compete over upcoming cards at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Owned by Kevin Dorey of Middle Sackville and Bob Sumarah of Halifax, N.S., Woodmere Stealdeal (Steelhead Hanover - Very Ideal Hanover) has amassed more than $61,000 in his 12 wins. Marc Campbell will once again be at the controls for trainer Danny Romo.
"He raced hard all year," stated Romo, noting that the post draws weren't kind to the colt in 2020 as he drew inside post five just four times (Posts 1 through 4 once each). "The other day he was parked to the quarter in :28, then they go the next one :28, and the next one :28...a track record over there at this time of year with the weather the way it is. We almost had winter jackets on it was so cold."
With the record-breaking score in the Atlantic Breeders Crown, Wodomere Stealdeal has now set five track records -- twice at Charlottetown Driving Park, as well as Summerside Raceway, Northside Downs and Inverness Raceway. Despite the lofty resume, Romo is still very grounded in recognizing and not underestimating the competition while deferring much of the credit for Woodmere Stealdeal's success to the horse himself.
"He raced super again, but there's a couple of good colts that are fresher now, coming on and getting closer to him," Romo told Trot Insider. "My colt's raced every dance ... he's still healthy and feeling good. The owner was up [Thursday] looking at him and he said he's probably fatter than he was all year. He's easy on himself and that's why he's as good a horse as he is."
Woodmere Stealdeal won't have an easy task for his 13th straight win, drawing post six in the field of seven. Among his rivals Sunday are Truro track record holder Bettim Again (PP3, Redmond Doucet, 3-1) and the consistent Dustylanegoliath (PP7, Gilles Barrieau, 7-2).
To view the entries for Sunday's card of harness racing at Truro Raceway, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Truro Raceway.