WINDSOR, OCT. 24, 2001 — Just seven two-year-old pacing colts will compete in the last Gold Series Elimination of the season on Saturday night at Windsor Raceway and Michael Dresser is hoping the small field works to his colt’s advantage.
Goth Vader is making his first start in Ontario Sires Stakes action after enjoying the laid back start to his racing career that Dresser has come to believe in.
“He was a late foal so we haven’t pushed him that hard,” says the Windsor resident. “We haven’t stretched him out to the max yet, and he wasn’t ready to do that. It wasn’t the right time to tackle them (OSS horses) before, but I think he’ll have a chance this weekend to show his true colours.”
In eight starts the Gothic Dream colt has posted two wins and three second-place finishes for Dresser and trainer Ron Henderson. He heads into Saturday night’s event off a 1:57.4 victory in a non-winners of two races event at Windsor on Oct. 20 and will make his OSS debut from Post 1 in the tenth race.
“I don’t know if he can go with the bear cats in there — Pacific Titan and Ifihadyourluck — but I’m pleased that there’s only seven in it and that I drew the rail,” says Dresser. “Either way I won’t be disappointed with the horse. I’m pleased with the way he’s progressed, and if he can pick up a piece I’ll be very pleased.”
With just one Elimination going postward on the 7:25 pm card, the freshman colts will compete for $102,063 on Saturday and then return to Windsor on Nov. 3 for their last $100,000 Gold Final. Although all seven colts will be eligible for the Final Dresser is waiting to see how Goth Vader does on Saturday before he commits to a second clash with the two-year-old titans.
“If he does so-so I might just shut him down for the rest of his two-year-old season,” says the longtime owner. “But if he does well there is still the Final and the Canadian Breeders. We’re just playing it by ear and hoping for the best.”
In spite of its small size, the depth of talent in Saturday’s contest is impressive with division leader Daylon Frontier starting from Post 3 and Ifihadyourluck and Pacific Titan returning to Sires Stakes competition after their bid for a North American title in the Oct. 19 Breeders Crown from Posts 5 and 7.
Windsor Raceway sends its first race behind the gate at 7:25 pm and puts the spotlight on the Gold Series colts in Race 10. Saturday evening’s program also features the Grassroots Semifinals for the two-year-old trotters and pacers in Races 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 11.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SANDRA SNYDER AT 519-656-2017 (TEL./FAX) OR smsnyder@sentex.net