Dr McDreamy Surprise for Southern Rocketop
Harness racing will be igniting the Du Quoin State Fair on Saturday, 30 August 2008. During the race one of the industry’s hottest two year olds will be trying to redeem himself from a disappointing second place finish during his eliminations race for the Darn Safe final. Setting records and winning races has been par for the course for this magnificent harness racing champion, and the victory of Dr. McDreamy over Southern Rocketop took everyone by surprise.
The Du Quoin State Fair is held in Du Quoin, in Illinois, and the fairgrounds racetrack is known as one of the best harness racing venues. In fact it was also home to the original running of the Hambletonian, and still offers first class racing events and non-stop action.
Southern Rocketop is the present record holder in the 2 year old category for trotting colts and geldings and has won five of his seven career starts in the current season. His record breaking performance was seen at the Illinois State Fair, with a time of 1:54.1. At the Hawthorne Night of Champions, which was held on the 2nd of August, Southern Rocketop took the lead in his racing event and left the rest of the field to break a second record in two weeks and confirm his dominance over the two year old division. Southern Rocketop has had some problems and issues in the past, but through the loving care and patience of his owner, Claude Powers, trainer Monique Bernardi, Gerald Hansen and driver Brian Carpenter, they have managed to help him through his physical and personal problems to become a champion in the harness racing industry.
But a mistake on Southern Rocketop’s behalf cost him his eliminations race at the Du Quoin State Fair, as Dr. McDreamy kept up his determination and pace, crossing the wire just before Southern Rocketop. All is not lost, however, as Southern Rocketop will meet Dr. McDreamy again in the Darn Safe final, along with eight other contestants. With a purse of $45 000, the horses and drivers will be out to deliver their best performances and will ensure that the Darn Safe final will be memorable.
