WINDSOR, ON — So long was the shadow cast by three-year-old pacing colt Mach Dreamer at Windsor Raceway on Tuesday evening that only win wagering was permitted on the first $40,000 Gold Elimination, and the decision proved to be a wise one as the two-time Gold Final winner blazed home to a 1:52 victory.
Starting from Post 4, with regular reinsman Rick Zeron at the helm, Mach Dreamer coasted away from the start and settled into fifth spot on the rail, well back of early leader Windsong Gorgeous, who rang up a :27.4 opening quarter. Windsong Gorgeous handed the lead off to Keystone Raptor heading for the :56.4 half and that colt carried on to a 1:24 three-quarters facing pressure from entry-mate Code Word.
Turning for home Mach Dreamer had only advanced as far as fourth, but when Zeron hit the afterburners there was not a colt in the field who could keep up to the fan favourite. Laying down a :27.1 final quarter, Mach Dreamer sprinted under the wire one length ahead of Keystone Raptor to stop the clock at 1:52.
Keystone Raptor warded off Code Word to earn the second-place share of the $40,000 purse, and Code Word fended off fourth-place finisher Stonebridge Tonic.
The Gold Elimination win was Mach Dreamer’s third this season and boosts his sophomore record to seven wins, four seconds, one third and earnings of $294,827 in 17 starts. The son of Mach Three and Boy Meets Girl earned Gold Final trophies at Mohawk Racetrack on Aug. 7 and Sept. 3, and will be looking to add a third to his collection from Post 6 in next Tuesday’s final.
Sunderland, ON resident Murray Brethour trains Mach Dreamer for owner and breeder Stephen Scarff of Halifax, NS, and Oakville, ON resident Zeron has been aboard for all the colt’s Ontario Sires Stakes successes.
Without a clear cut favourite, win, place and show wagering were permitted in the second Gold Elimination and fans who took a chance on lightly rated Twin B Warrior were rewarded handsomely for their gamble.
Starting from Post 2, Twin B Warrior moved off the starting gate into third spot, but stripped control of the race from Big Bay Point just past the :27.2 opening quarter. Driver Randy Waples kept the colt rolling through a :56 half and 1:24 three-quarters, and Twin B Warrior found another gear in the stretch, rocking across the finish line one and one-half lengths to the good in 1:51.3.
Big Bay Point rode his pocket trip into the runner-up spot, while fan favourite Dalhousie Dave toured up the outside through the final turn to secure the third-place spot. Fourth and fifth-place finishers Red Bugler and Future Million also advanced to next Tuesday’s $130,000 Gold Final.
Twin B Warrior is owned by Burlington, ON resident Mac Nichol, who has had an outstanding run in Gold Series action recently. Horses he owns shares of captured two Gold Finals at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night and a Gold Elimination on Monday. Hillsburgh, ON resident Jeff Gillis trains Twin B Warrior, who has amassed a record of two wins, six seconds, two thirds and $262,981 in 14 starts this season.
The son of Apaches Fame and What An Attitude will make his bid for a Gold Final title from Post 2 at Windsor Raceway next Tuesday.
The complete line up for the Tuesday, Oct. 5 Gold Final is as follows:
$130,000 Gold Series Final — Tuesday, Oct. 5 at Windsor Raceway
Post 1 Code Word
Post 2 Twin B Warrior
Post 3 Stonebridge Tonic
Post 4 Red Bugler
Post 5 Future Million
Post 6 Mach Dreamer
Post 7 Keystone Raptor
Post 8 Dalhousie Dave
Post 9 Big Bay Point
For complete entries please go to: Windsor Raceway Results — Sept. 28, 2010