Bob McClure worked out a pretty trip for Beach Dreams in Wednesday’s $10,800 Claiming Series Final for fillies and mares, and the daughter of Rustler Hanover didn’t let it go to waste.
The Brian Lee-trained and co-owned six-year-old shook loose from her pocket trip and erupted for a 25-1 upset. Bill Andrew of Calgary, AB shares ownership on the distaffer.
Cammie Dare shot to the front and laid down panels of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:27.4 before fading. Beach Dreams used a :30.4 closing panel to draw away by 1-3/4 lengths over Cam From The West in a time of 1:58.4. West Bay Cruiser rallied to round out the top three in the tilt.
It was her third win of the season in 13 tries, and the $5,400 payday bumped her seasonal bankroll to $11,081. She has stashed away more than $75,000 in her career.
The longshot theme continued in Wednesday’s opening leg of the Hanover Claiming Series, as both favourites failed to crack the top three.
St Lads Bounty went gate-to-wire in the $4,000 opening division for driver Bob McClure. The four-year-old son of Twin B Champ chopped out intervals of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:27.4 before using a :30.2 closing panel to seal the deal. The gelding held on to win by a neck over Lil Pilgrim in 1:58.1. Third prize went to Time For Luck.
Heather Toll of Dungannon, ON owns and trains the pacer, who won for the fourth time this season.
Million Miler used a different approach to take home top prize in the second division. The five-year-old son of Million Dollar Cam survived a first-over journey and drew off to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Sir Slick in 1:57.2. Be Bop For Life came on strong to grab the show dough.
The John Kennedy trainee gave driver Bob McClure, who finished the card with a five-win performance, a sweep of Wednesday’s divisions. Kennedy holds the papers on the three-time winner.