Milton, ON — Rookie pacing colts and geldings were on display Monday evening (July 27) at Woodbine Mohawk Park for the first leg of the Dream Maker Series.

The Dream Maker Series has annually been a launching pad to stardom for some of the sport’s top pacing colts and geldings. Last year’s series was an early season stop for several of this year’s top 3-year-old pacers, including series winner Capt Midnight and preliminary leg winners Allywag Hanover and Tall Dark Stranger (did not race in the final).

The Betting Line-Deli Beach colt Dean B Hanover took Monday’s first division impressively in 1:52.1. New Image Media photo.

The Betting Line-Deli Beach colt Dean B Hanover took Monday’s first division impressively in 1:52.1. The Casie Coleman-Herlihy trainee and driver Travis Cullen shot out to the early lead and let stablemate Beachhead overtake the top spot racing to the half, before powering by in the lane with a :26.3 final quarter for a 2-3/4 length win. Beachhead just held on for second over Ucanttouchthis, while Somewhereinverona was fourth.

Dean B Hanover is now two for two in his young career and does have plenty of expectations to live up to after being purchased for $340,000 as a yearling at Harrisburg. He is owned by Mac Nichol, John Liviakis and Thomas Grossman. A $2 win ticket on Dean B Hanover returned $5.70.

Island Beach Boy capitalized on a miscue by 1-5 favorite Linedrive Hanover to win the second division in 1:52.1.

The early portion of the race saw Perfectboy Hanover cut an opening quarter of :28. Keystone Catalyst looped to the top from second, but his lead was brief as Linedrive Hanover rushed third to first through a half of :56. Linedrive Hanover paced a strong third quarter of :27.3 to lead into the lane, but early in the stretch started to put in some awkward steps and made a break.

Island Beach Boy sat back fourth throughout and unleashed a good :27.3 final quarter for driver Sylvain Filion to sweep by rivals and capture the win by 2-1/2 lengths. Keystone Catalyst finished second, while Perfectboy Hanover was third. Linedrive Hanover reset from the break to finish fourth.

Trained by Marcel Barrieau, Island Beach Boy was making the second start of his career on Monday. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Lady Sometimes finished second in his career debut to Dean B Hanover on July 13. Island Beach Boy is owned by Ian Smith and Arnold Hagen. He paid $14.50 to win.

The second and final preliminary leg of the Dream Maker Series will take place next Monday (Aug. 3). The C$88,500 final will be contested on Aug. 10.

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The first leg of the Whenuwishuponastar Series headlines the action. Post time is 7 p.m.

MacDonald wins five at Mohawk Park

James MacDonald leaned back and had his picture taken five times on Monday evening. The Guelph, Ontario reinsman had a drive in 10 of Monday’s 11 races and came through with a big night, posting five wins, a pair of third place finishes and 10 top five finishes.

MacDonald captured his first drive of the evening with Ben Wallace trained sophomore trotter Life Is A Feast. The next win would come in the fourth race with 8-year-old claiming pacer Julerica ($3) for trainer Anthony Montini.

The largest price of MacDonald’s five winners came in the sixth race with 5-year-old claiming pacer Goldinthebadlands ($28.70) for trainer Mitch Tierney.

MacDonald capped off the Monday card by sweeping the Late Double with 7-year-old pacer Icy Blue Scooter ($6.90) for Shawn Steacy and 5-year-old pacer Cinnamack ($12.40) for Bill Budd.

The five win night gives MacDonald 63 wins this season at Woodbine Mohawk Park and vaults him up to sixth in the driver’s standings.

MacDonald will look to carry the momentum from Monday over to Tuesday, as he is scheduled to compete in eight races at Mohawk Park. Post time is 7 p.m.