It was the biggest harness racing crowd of the season on perhaps the hottest night of the year, as Hanover Raceway hosted two eliminations in the Dream of Glory Trot.
Sixteen horses competed hoping for a top four spot in order to qualify for the July 30th final.
In the first elimination Wildwild Men used the rail position to his advantage hitting the quarter with a 5 length lead in 28 seconds flat. The 3 year old son of Muscle Mass is co-owned by Catheline Pelletier, Chantal Gravel of Quebec and came into Hanover after back to back wins at Trois Rivieres Raceway. Robert Shepherd drove the gelding wire to wire, with times of 1:00, 1:29.3 and the mile in 1:58.4. P C Cantore owned and trained by Peter Clements of Dobbinton was second, with a pair of Keith Jones trainees, Pukka and Chestnut Schofield finishing third and fourth.
In the second elimination, heavy favorite Sass coming off a 1:53 mile at Mohawk, broke before the start and Smoke Monkey owned by Synerco Ventures of Toronto grabbed the first quarter lead in 29.1. Bruce Richardson drove the Majestic Son colt wire to wire with times of 59.4, 1:28.4 and the mile in 1:58.2.
Gonna Fly starting from post 8 managed to manoeuvre around Sass and finished second for Robert Mcintosh and Earl Hill Jr. of Oshweken, while PC Foreign Affair was third for Curtis Clements of Dobbinton, and Very Classy finished fourth for part owner and trainer John Bax of Campbellville.
It was a busy night with fans taking part in the Wanna Drive program, and I love Canadian Harness Racing was on hand with prize draws and information. Hanover also played host to former NHL great Keith Primeau and Connor Roberts of Owen Sound who was drafted third overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL. The two men signed autographs and helped assign the post positions for the 8 Dream of Glory Qualifiers.
Dream of Glory day will include a Beef on a Bun BBQ at 5:00pm, a live band, and after the races a huge BEM Fireworks display. Post time next Saturday is 6:15pm and the doors open at 5:00. Hanover is expecting close to 4,000 fans to attend.
Below is the results of the Post position draw for the estimated $77,000 dollar Dream of Glory Final.
- PC Foreign Affair
- Very Classy
- PC Cantore
- Wildwild Men
- Pukka
- Chestnut Schofield
- Smoke Monkey
- Gonna Fly
- AE1. Zagster
- AE2. Major Muscle