by Gary Patterson, for Dresden Raceway

Dresden, ON — Some fans were off and pacing when dark clouds and thunder rolled over Dresden Raceway late Monday afternoon (Aug. 6) but Stonebridge Guard wasn’t deterred as he won his seventh straight.The 3-year-old Shadow Play gelding went wire-to-wire for driver Scott Wray to win by six open lengths in 2:02.Stonebridge Guard, who hasn’t lost since June 2, is owned by Doug Dunbar from Woodstock and partners Fred Woolford and Jack Wray.The wagering public were keen for the first eight races as they were averaging just under $4,000 a race, but when the storm clouds loomed large, the handle dropped to just over $2,300 per race and the total handle ended up at $39,876.All three entries that trainer Mike Carther sent behind the gate visited the winner’s circle, as Hopetobefirst (Nick Steward), Three Rockets (Tyler Borth) and Team Leader (Borth) won their respective races.Almost 2,000 people jammed the grandstand as the track was offering free hot buttered corn on the cob as well as free giveaways for kids including six bicycles.Dresden’s season will come to a close Friday night (Aug. 10), when they will hold a special twilight card of racing starting at 5 p.m.