by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — Bettor’s Dream improved to three-for-three to start his career with an impressive 1:53.4 victory in the Dream Maker Series final Monday night (Aug. 1) at Mohawk Racetrack.
A field of eight 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings squared off in the $29,106 Dream Maker final.
Scott McEneny trainee Bettor’s Dream was a convincing winner in the opening leg and was made the heavy 1-5 favorite in Monday’s final. The gelded son of Bettor’s Delight did not race in the second leg.
Driven by Doug McNair, Bettor’s Dream got away fifth Monday evening, while leg two winner Deadly Action blasted to the front from the outside to post an opening quarter of :27.3. The lead didn’t last long for the round two winner, as McNair made a big second quarter move to the front with the favorite.
Bettor’s Dream touched down on the lead just before the half and reached that panel in :58. After picking up the tempo around the final turn to reach the three-quarter pole in 1:26.1, the McEneny trainee charged home comfortably in :27.3 for another convincing victory in 1:53.4. Deadly Action finished three lengths back in second, while Beyond Delight was third.
Bettor’s Dream is a graduate of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and was purchased for $45,000 last fall. He is owned by John Fielding, Domenic Chiaravalle and McEneny.
The son of Bettor’s Delight-Enduring Dream is eligible to several upcoming Grand Circuit events. McEneny noted following Monday’s race that Bettor’s Dream will get a few weeks off before the Nassagaweya Stakes on Saturday (Aug. 20).
Bettor’s Dream joins an impressive list of past Dream Maker Series champions, including Big Jim, Thinking Out Loud and Control The Moment.
A $2 win ticket on Bettor’s Dream returned $2.60.
While the Dream Maker Series wrapped up Monday, the Pure Ivory Series kicked off with a field of eight rookie trotting fillies meeting up for the $10,780 first leg.
Muscle Hill filly Dream Together came first up around the final turn and powered by in the lane for the 1:58.2 victory. The Luc Blais trainee was driven by Sylvain Filion, who got away fourth with the rookie trotting filly.
The Erm, who was the public’s choice, and driver Paul MacDonell cut the mile and led the field through panels of :29, :59.4 and 1:30 to the top of the lane. In the stretch, Dream Together was able to battle by the leader to score the maiden-breaking victory by three-quarters of a length. the Erm finished second, while Southwind Tesla was third.
Dream Together was making her second career start Monday after finishing third in her debut a week ago. The Muscle Hill-Danae filly was purchased for $240,000 last fall at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is owned by Determination of Montreal, Quebec.
Dream Together paid $5.80 to win.
The second leg of the Pure Ivory Series will take place next Monday (Aug. 8).
Live racing continues Tuesday evening at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.