‘No Contest’ At Woodbine

Published: November 24, 2015 12:47 am EST

A fallen horse and driver in Monday’s tenth race at Woodbine Racetrack prompted the Ontario Racing Commission judges to declare the event a ‘no contest’.

Claiming pacer Casimir Low Gear, in rein to Scott Young, appeared to choke behind the starting gate and eventually fell shortly after the start. Young was dumped from the bike, but quickly tended to his horse while the rest of the field made its way to the first turn.

Warning lights were promptly lit and the ORC Judges then activated a loud siren before the rest of the field neared the mid-way point of the race in order to alert drivers of the ‘no contest’.

Despite the warning measures being activated, the remainder of the field continued around the final turn and into the stretch while the fallen horse being tended to by driver Young, the starting gate crew and outrider Joanne Colville.

Both Young and the pacer walked off the track with no serious injuries.

Monday’s main event at Woodbine Racetrack was the $34,000 Preferred Trot, and as the majority of the betting public predicted, Il Sogno Dream was the best in the field of five.

Trevor Henry was content to get away last with the Victor Puddy pupil while Exemplar and Burnin Money took turns on the lead through panels of :27, :56.2 and 1:25. Il Sogno Dream came first-over on the way to the mid-way point, and after chipping away around the final turn he eventually used a :29-second kicker to win by three-quarters of a length over Burnin Money in 1:54.3. Exemplar finished third.

Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Il Sogno Dream won for the eighth time this season and for the 16th time in his career. The four-year-old son of Cantab Hall-Le Reve, who is owned by Bill and Dan Manes along with Len and Randy Christopher, bumped his career bankroll to $741,109 with the victory.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.

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