by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — After a longshot score in last week’s opening leg of the Youthful Pacing Series, Real Infusion has established himself as a top contender heading into the C$30,000 second leg, set for Thursday evening (March 29) at Woodbine.

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Real Infusion was a narrow winner in a division of the Youthful Series on March 19 at Woodbine.

While the toteboard suggested he was an outsider in his latest start, Real Infusion, a sophomore son of Real Desire-Cosmic Express, came from off the pace to score a 1:51.4 lifetime best, paying a generous $80.80 for the win.

Although the win surprised most handicappers, conditioner Randy Van Meer wasn’t shocked by the outcome.

“I know he’s got the speed to go that type of mile,” Van Meer said. “He’s shown some nice miles last year as a 2-year-old and this was just his second start back.”

After a pair of qualifiers, Real Infusion’s first test this season didn’t go as planned as the winner of $37,388 was pulled-up by driver Scott Zeron after Real Infusion’s front hopple hanger broke, preventing the bay from finishing the race.

Harry Locke bred and owns the three-time winner, who banked $26,934 last season under the care of trainer Richard Gillock.

“He’s Pennsylvania-bred so it made sense for him to race there in the Sires Stakes,” Van Meer said. “He came back up to me in the latter part of last year. I gave him some time off to mature and because he had 10 starts, I thought that was enough for a 2-year-old.”

Van Meer is likely to utilize the same blueprint again.

“I would guess he would head south again to compete in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, it only makes sense. He’ll likely head there sometime after this series. He’s got enough speed to compete at that level. He’s a good-sized horse with no lameness issues, so he should have a good summer.”

Real Infusion has been assigned post 10 in the eighth race Thursday evening.

“Post 10 is always a position you don’t want to be in, but he can get off the gate so well. I think he can overcome that.”

The C$50,000 final is scheduled for Saturday (April 7).