The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club offered an online handicapping contest for Hanover Raceway’s Dream of Glory night as well as an on-track Pick the Winner contest.
Joey Bats and driver Bruce Richardson winning the 2018 Dream Of Glory Trot
Congratulations to Doug Fitchett of Ariss, Ont., for winning the Dream of Glory Online Handicapping Contest! Doug was successful in securing 17 out of a possible 20 points in the contest, along with one other entrant, and was declared the winner from a blind draw.
Doug is a huge fan of the sport and a previous owner of Standardbreds. His handicapping skills have won him a Fan Club prize package and dinner for two at Grand River Raceway in the Captain’s Quarters Dining Room.
Below are the contest answers and Doug’s selections:
Select the horse that you think will win Race 4. (3 points)
Doug’s Selection: Senior Market
Answer: Senior Market, driven by Mike Whelan, sprinted home to a 1:55 victory in the preferred pace.
Select the race that you think will have the greatest margin of victory. (3 points)
Doug’s Selection: Race 6
Answer: Race 11 had the greatest margin of victory, with Joey Bats winning by eight-and-a-half lengths.
Select the post position that will have the greatest number of wins on the night’s card. (3 points)
Doug’s Selection: Post 5
Answer: Four of 11 races were won from post five: 1, 2, 8 and 10.
Select the horse that will reach the quarter pole first in the Dream of Glory Trot. (3 points)
Doug’s Selection: Joey Bats
Answer: Joey Bats reached the quarter pole first, clocking the quarter in 28.3.
Will the final time of the 2018 Dream of Glory Trot be over, under, or on the time of 2017 winner Mister Muscle (1:58.3) (3 points)?
Doug’s Selection: Under
Answer: This year’s Dream of Glory was under (faster), with Joey Bats winning in 1:57.2.
Select the horse that you think will in the 2018 Dream of Glory Trot. (5 points)
Doug’s Selection: Joey Bats
Answer: The 6-5 favourite Joey Bats was victorious in the $58,700 Dream of Glory Final for trainer Keith Jones and owner Doug McCarthy of Holland Landing, Ont. Bruce Richardson picked up the drive.
The Fan Club also hosted a trackside contest where fans had to select the winning horse in the Dream of Glory. Congratulations to Deacon Heard of Barrie, Ont., whose entry was drawn from Joey Bats’ ballot box, and wins a $50 Fan Club prize package.