Thiessen defies odds, wins return stake

Less than two months ago, Daryl Thiessen was lying in a hospital bed with a broken femur.

On Saturday, the Guelph-based harness racing driver returned to the sulky and steered Dawns Night Owl to victory in The Golden Boy first leg for sophomore Manitoba-sired pacing colts and geldings at Miami Fair.

Thiessen made a decisive move to the front with the gelding from post three, but odds-on favourite Cereal Killer (Donald Howlett) pressed on after a bumpy beginning and took the lead at the quarter in :30.1. Dawns Night Owl enjoyed the pocket through middle splits of 1:00.4 and 1:31 before swinging three-wide on the final turn.

Promise Me A Win (Michel Rey) inherited the lead and a three-length advantage as Cereal Killer broke stride entering the lane and Dawns Nights Owl lost ground three-high. The new leader battled as Dawns Night Owl closed, but there was no stopping the resolute Thiessen and Dawns Night Owl as they surged by in the stretch to a 2:01.1 triumph.

Promise Me A Win finished second. Jimmydiddonegood (Kirk Rogers) emerged from the remaining pack to take show.

Dawns Night Owl, a son of Andreoli Hanover, won his second straight start from three lifetime for trainer Trevor Williams of Carman, who co-owns with Michael Williams of Winninpeg.

Thiessen was involved in an accident in the 10th race at Century Downs on May 18. He sustained a broken and dislocated femur, a torn MCL, and a smashed collarbone. He was very open with his recovery process, frequently posting updates and videos on Facebook. Less than eight hours after his accident, he was able to stand.

“This is the worst I’ve ever been hurt but I refuse to let it keep me down,” he posted.

He left the hospital on May 23 and predicted he would beat the doctor-provided three-month return time by a month. On Jun. 24, he posted a video of himself walking in a cast and visited a weight room on Jul. 5. One day later, he was in a jog cart exercising horses, and, on Jul. 7, he announced that he would be driving on Jul. 10.

“Yesterday I trained one in the bike and I felt zero pain in my leg and hip,” he said on Facebook. “I honestly couldn’t believe that it didn’t feel any different than before and I’m very blessed about that. I know a lot of people are worried and think it’s too soon but I talked to my therapist and I know my body better than anyone. I would not go behind the gate if I thought I was putting myself, someone else or a horse in danger and I need everyone to trust that. I’m not ready for the grind of Ontario racing 7 days a week yet but this is a big step towards that.”

After his victory, he posted “This one is special. I’m proud.”

Miami Fair returns on Saturday, Jul. 17.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink