by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — The photo finish camera was put to good use to determine the winner of Monday night’s (July 24) Dream Maker Series opening leg at Mohawk Racetrack. Summer Travel held off inside rival Trump That by the smallest of margins to win the seven-horse $11,200 first leg.
Coming in off an impressive 1:51.4 victory in his career debut, Summer Travel and driver Louis Philippe Roy got away fourth in the early-going, while Trump That went to the front for driver Jody Jamieson.
Trump That posted soft opening fractions of :28.3 and :58.4, which forced Roy to come first up just before the half with the heavy favorite. Summer Travel cleared to command entering the far turn and ramped up the tempo by taking the field down to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
In the stretch, Summer Travel was in full flight trying to stay ahead of his rival, but Trump That wasn’t going away quietly and came charging with a late bid up the rail. The rookies hit the line together in 1:53.4.
It took roughly five minutes for Summer Travel to be declared the winner in a tight photo finish.
A son of Western Ideal-Shark Tail, Summer Travel is trained by Casie Coleman for owners West Wins Stables, Mac Nichol and Calhoun Racing Limited. The $35,000 Harrisburg purchase is now two-for-two with $11,060 earned to start his career.
Trump That, who is trained by Dave Menary, was one-for-one coming into Monday’s Dream Maker leg. The gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Michelle My Gal was an $80,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase for owners Menary Racing Inc., Michael Guerriero, Kenneth Ewen and Bruce Norris.
Dragon Time, who is also trained by Menary, finished third, while Courtly Choice finished fourth for trainer Blake MacIntosh.
Summer Travel paid $2.40 to win.
The second leg of the Dream Maker Series is scheduled for next Monday (July 31).
Live racing continues Tuesday night at Mohawk Racetrack. An Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg for 2-year-old filly trotters and a C$34,000 Preferred Trot highlight the 10-race card. Post time is 7:30 p.m.