If I Can Dream wins Cane elim

If I Can Dream won the $108,300 Cane Pace elimination race on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 29) at Freehold Raceway, defeating Arctic Warrior by one length in 1:51.4 on a "sloppy" track.

If I Can Dream pushed his earnings past $1 million with his Cane elimination win.

The $325,000 Cane Pace final is Labor Day, Sept. 7. Hail Storm, Western Posse, Clear Vision and Johnny Z also advanced from the elim and will join Vintage Master and Mr Wiggles, who received byes, in the final. Barber Pole and Fireintheshark, who had broken equipment, failed to advance.

The Cane Pace is the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown.

If I Can Dream, driven by Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Tracy Brainard, battled Arctic Warrior through an opening quarter of 26.4 before taking the lead at the half, which was reached in 55.4. The final time was one second off Art Official’s track record for a 3-year-old pacer.

“I was hoping I didn’t have to go that much to the first quarter because it was just an elimination, but the little horse did it easy,” Morrill said. “I don’t think it hurt him. He had some left.”

If I Can Dream won the Confederation Cup and Art Rooney Pace earlier this year, both around half-mile ovals like Freehold. He has won seven of 13 races this season and earned $777,143. He pushed his career earnings to $1.01 million for owner Bulletproof Enterprises.

Arctic Warrior, a $35,000 supplemental entry from the Sam Beegle Stable, was coming off back-to-back stakes wins at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack.

“My horse is not eligible to the Little Brown Jug; the only way he can get there is to win next week,” Beegle said. “Everything worked out the way I wanted it, and I got part of my money back. Maybe next week I can get the rest of it back.”

Vintage Master won the Delvin Miller Adios, was second in the Meadowlands Pace and third in the Battle of the Brandywine. He has won two of 14 races and earned $876,326 this season – the second-highest amount among 3-year-old male pacers. Mr Wiggles, who has won seven of 14 starts this year including the Hoosier Cup, is fourth in earnings with $728,537. (USTA)

« Back