The Mark Austin Pacing Series kicks off on Sunday at Dresden Raceway, and it's expected to be a dog fight.
The four favourites in the first leg of the series, for non-winners of a race or $5,000, are Kid Genius, Township Willy, Denmark Seelster and Toxic Hanover. Those horses are spread throughout three different divisions but are destined to meet in the future.
Kid Genius is the morning line favourite in the eighth race. The four-year-old Shadow Play gelding is co-owned by Chris Cain and trainer Allan Steeves with Nick Steward at the controls. Kid Genius had a 1:57 wire-to-wire win two starts ago at Western Fair Raceway.
Leading driver Tyler Borth will be in the bike for Township Willy in the second division for owners Mark and Stanley Zipkin and trainer Rene Dion. The three- year-old Sportswriter colt stepped off his back half in :58 in his first start back last week at Georgian Downs, finishing third in 1:58.4.
Township Willy will be battling Denmark Seelster and Chris Johnston in the second division. Denmark Seelster is owned and trained by Jerry Sims. The three-year-old Big Jim gelding faded last start in Sarnia after being parked to three quarters in 1:26 but put in a gutsy performance the start before with a :57.3 back half at Western Fair for a third-place finish.
Toxic Hanover is the 7-5 favourite in the last division for owner/trainer Jack Darling and driver Tyler Borth. The three-year-old Somebeachsomewhere colt was beat by half a length in the Sharpes Series elimination in Hanover last week, with the mile timed in in 1:56.4 and his back half in :58.
Post Time for the Father’s Day extravaganza is set for 1:30 p.m. with a day full of free giveaways and draws. To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Dresden Raceway.
(with files from Dresden)