by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Delaware, OH — Don Dream was a nightmare for his rivals, winning Thursday’s (Sept. 22) second $32,050 division of the Standardbred Stakes for 2-year-old male trotters in a world record 1:55 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Moonshiner Hanover, who followed Don Dream throughout the mile, finished second by 1-3/4 lengths and Andy M was third.

David Miller drove Don Dream to a world record time of 1:55 in the Standardbred Stakes at Delaware.

Don Dream’s time is the fastest in history for a 2-year-old trotter on a half-mile track. The previous mark of 1:55.2 was held by filly Wild Honey. The best prior clocking for a male trotter was 1:55.3 held by Dontyouforgetit.

A son of Donato Hanover out of the mare Gabbys Dream, Don Dream was making his first start for new owners Michelle and Albert Crawford and Susan Oakes, who purchased the colt last week. The horse is trained by Chris Oakes.

“David (Miller, his driver) really likes him and said he went around the track well in hand,” said Chris Oakes. “He broke the track record in his last start at Harrah’s (1:55.2) and I did speak with David about him before I bought him to discuss his opinion of him. The Crawfords were kind enough to agree with us and hopefully with their continued backing can purchase more nice horses just like him.

“I wasn’t surprised really that he set the world record. I flew in on Monday and trained him on the track earlier this week and he got over it extremely well. David said much the same thing about how he handled it today.

“He goes on to Lexington next.”

Don Dream, the 2-5 favorite, and Miller went to the lead at the start and never looked back. Don Dream set fractions of :28.1, :57.3, and 1:26.4 on his way to his fourth win in eight races. He has earned $79,240.

He’s On A Mission and driver Tim Tetrick won Thursday’s first $32,050 division of the Standardbred Stakes for 2-year-old male trotters, capitalizing when Lars Perry went off stride in the stretch as he attempted to lead the race from start to finish.

USTA/Mark Hall photos

He’s On A Mission was a 1:58.3 winner for driver Tim Tetrick.

He’s On A Mission stopped the timer in 1:58.3, with Lars Perry second but placed third because of the break. Brand New Key was third-placed-second.

Lars Perry and Brand New Key battled on the first turn for the early advantage, with Lars Perry eventually forcing Brand New Key to back off and settle into second. Lars Perry set fractions of :27.4, :58.2, and 1:28.1 before pulling away from the field heading into the stretch.

He’s On A Mission, who was third for most of the mile, was on the move in the stretch and took advantage of Lars Perry’s missteps.

A gelded son of Groton Hall out of the mare Lisas Mission, He’s On A Mission is owned by trainer Stacey Ruddick along with Denise Dennis. He has won three of six races and earned $75,375. He was the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship runner-up in August.

“Unfortunately he was not himself the night of the KYSS final,” said Ruddick. “He had a bad week, was really nervous and right up on the bit which is not like him. I was a little concerned he would get wound up here with everything that was going on or that he would have to leave from the eight-hole in a big field. But we got here on Tuesday and he has been nice and relaxed and just taking everything in.

“As far as how he drew, it could not have worked out any better. Also we have a small track back at the farm that we train on so I knew the turns would be no problem for him. Then Timmy (Tetrick) drove him perfectly. I’ve known Timmy for years when he used to drive for me when I raced at the Illinois fairs. He learned from his dad how to bring the babies along slowly.

“I bought this horse as a weanling and it’s an interesting story. I was looking at Kentucky babies because I knew there were not many mares bred there. I had a list printed out actually and Walnut Hall sold a bunch of mares in foal that year at the Delaware sale. His dam was a little older and I was looking more towards a younger mare. This Amish guy was looking at her and so I asked him if he was interested in the mare only because I was interested in the baby. He told me the mare only, so I told him I would not bid against him if I could have first shot at the baby. He agreed and when this horse was a baby we went to look at him, decided we wanted him and traded a stallion share, then I brought some other horses to that farm and we got him.

“He is eligible next for some late closers at Lexington and he is a very nice colt. I think he’s a nicer colt than he may receive credit for.”

— Kim French also contributed to this report