Woodbine Mohawk Park: Tall Dark Stranger cruises in Dream Maker

Tall Dark Stranger stormed into Mohawk Park to deliver an impressive 1:51 1/5 victory in Monday’s second leg of the Dream Maker Series.

An overflow field of 11 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings clashed in the second-leg of the three-week event. Round one winners Allywag Hanover and Captain Midnight sat out this week.

Trainer Nancy Johansson actually rolled into town with a pair of freshmen, including $330,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase Tall Dark Stranger. The Bettor's Delight colt won his season debut in 1:51 3/5 at The Meadowlands on July 26 and did not disappoint in his follow up race.

Tall Dark Stranger and driver Yannick Gingras took their time in the early going after leaving from the middle of the gate and were a parked out fourth at the opening quarter. The Johansson trainee powered ahead in the second quarter and cleared to the top just before hitting the half in 55 3/5.

After reaching three quarters in 1:24 2/5, Tall Dark Stranger sprinted home impressively in 26 4/5 to win easily by three lengths.

Hes Watching colt One For Julius raced well to finish second after surrendering the lead to the winner in the second quarter. Captaintreacherous colt Captain Kirk rallied from sixth at three quarters to finish third by pacing a 26 2/5 final quarter.

"He is the most professional colt I have ever been around," said Johansson of Tall Dark Stranger.

Tall Dark Stranger is the second foal out of O’Brien Award winner Precocious Beauty and is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor. He is now two for two and has earned $14,000.

A $2 win ticket on Tall Dark Stranger returned $2.50.

The $50,000 Dream Maker Series final will take place next Monday evening (August 12).

Live racing continues Tuesday evening at Mohawk Park. The second leg of the Whenuwishuponastar Series headlines the action. Post time is 7:10 p.m.

-edited release (Woodbine)