Life Is Better fights to Houston Memorial win

July 25, 2021 (DRESDEN) – Life Is Better grinded out a parked out win in the Ken Houston Memorial Pace at Dresden Raceway this afternoon for Garrett Rooney in 1:58.1.

Race favourite Bigmacwithcheese put in some steps through the first turn and broke stride before the quarter pole, which totally shifted the dynamics of the race.

Dreaming Out Loud fired to the front for Tyler Borth while Milenium Seelster slipped into the two-hole, which left Life Is Better caught out.

“Being parked out wasn’t the best option but I also knew going to the back would have been a death sentence so I just stayed out there.” said Rooney. “My horse raced big. I was just hoping that I would have some left down the stretch and that he (Borth) might tire a little bit.”

Dreaming Out Loud set fractions of 28.1, 58.3, 1:28.3 before Life Is Better took over in deep stretch.

Life Is Better is a five-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding, owned by Ken Mathieson and Harry Banakiewicz while Mathieson is the conditioner.

Dreaming Out Loud and Borth finished second while Leafs And Wings and Jonathan Hahn finished third.

The annual race honours local hockey player Ken Houston who played nine seasons in the NHL with Atlanta, Calgary, Washington and Los Angeles but was a lifetime regular at Dresden Raceway. Houston passed away in 2018.

Scott Wray had a great day at the track as he scored five winners on the day for the first time in his career. Wray visited the winner’s circle with three Lindsey Kerr trained offerings – Bettor Attitude, R Thinking Monster and Literally Hanover – as well as Shakeitifyougotit and Smile in Style.

For full race results, click here.

From Ontario Racing via Dresden Raceway