It will be take two for the start of the Mark Austin Pacing Series at Dresden Raceway after poor track condition washed out the first week. The 2019 edition of the Mark Austin Pacing Series, for non-winners of a race or $5,000, is expected to be a dog fight.
The four favourites in the first leg of the series, Township Willy, Denmark Seelster, Toxic Hanover and Kid Genius are spread throughout three different divisions but are destined to meet in the future.
Leading driver Tyler Borth will be in the bike for Township Willy in the first 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 driver Chris Johnston in the second division. Denmark Seelster is owned and trained by Jerry Sims. The three-year-old Big Jim gelding faded in last start at Hiawartha 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 second 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 1:56.4 off a back half of :58.
Kid Genius is the morning line favourite in the final flight of the Austin Series. 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 wire-to-wire win two starts ago in 1:57 at Western Fair.
Dresden Raceway is still waiting on word whether there will be racing on June 30 as a make-up date for last week’s rain out. All papers have been filed and OLG has the final say.
First race post time for this Sunday’s card is slated for 1:30 p.m. To view the entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Dresden Raceway.
(with files from Dresden)