by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Sophomore pacing colts took center stage Saturday night (March 28) at Woodbine for the first leg of the Youthful Series.

A solid group of 21 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were split into two C$15,000 divisions for the opening round of the three-week series event.

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Dialamara posted a 1:52.3 victory in the first division.

Fresh off his win in the WEGZ Series last Saturday, Dialamara kept the momentum rolling with a 1:52.3 victory in the first division.

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Dialamara got away early in fifth and would jump into the outer flow down the backstretch. American Rock, the 9-/5 favorite, took control of the lead in the second quarter.

Around the final turn, Dialamara got right up alongside the favorite to set up a stretch battle. In the lane, Dialamara was able to forge past American Rock in deep stretch to win by a head. Team Captain finished third, while Vegas Rocks took fourth.

A 3-year-old son of Lis Mara, Dialamara now has four wins from seven starts this season for trainer Patrick Fletcher. The first leg triumph increases the sophomore’s career bankroll to more than C$92,000 for owner John Lamers. The 1:52.3 clocking lowers Dialamara’s career mark by more than a second. He returned $8.40 to win.

In the second division, Legion Of Boom dug deep in the stretch to hold off his rivals and score a 1:55.1 victory.

Driven and co-owned by Doug McNair, Legion Of Boom was put right on the front immediately by McNair. After cutting out fractions of :28.1 and :57.1, Legion Of Boom was confronted first up by Pantheon Hanover.

After reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3, Legion Of Boom squared off with Pantheon Hanover in the stretch and would show plenty of grit to hold off his rival and get the job done. Giovanni took the show spot, while fourth went to Nobettorplacetobe.

A 3-year-old son of Artistic Fella, Legion Of Boom is trained by Gregg McNair for his son Doug, who co-owns with Equus Standardbreds Inc. The sophomore pacer now has three wins from six starts in his first season of racing. The winner’s share of the purse increases his bankroll to more than C$41,000. The McNair trainee returned $4.80 to win.

Legion Of Boom’s victory was one of four winning steers for driver Doug McNair on the card.

In order to be eligible to the Youthful, the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings had to be non-winners of three races or C$15,000 in 2014. The second round of the Youthful Series will take place next Saturday (April 4).