WOODSTOCK, ON — This Saturday’s racing program at Woodstock Raceway features the Grassroots debut of 17 talented two-year-old trotting fillies competing for a total of $91,407 in Ontario Sires Stakes purse money. Fans taking in the matin�e program will also enjoy the track’s annual Dollar Day, when hot dogs, french fries and pop are all just $1, prize draws for bicycles and an appearance by Peanut, the World’s Smallest Horse.
Among the freshman fillies hoping to make their mark on the provincial stage this season is I’m Eager, bred and owned by Lorena Chapple of Harley. The Eager Seelster daughter is trained and driven by Wayne Langille and will make her racing debut from Post 1 in the third race.
“I don’t know whether that’s good or bad,” says Chapple of the inside post position. “It depends on how she likes it down on the inside.”
I’m Eager prepped for Saturday’s event with a June 23 qualifier at Flamboro Downs where she trotted to a 2:10.2 mile from Post 6. Chapple hopes the Eager Seelster daughter delivers a solid performance on Saturday, one that makes her attractive to potential buyers.
“My husband and I were in the business for about 30 years, but he passed away and I’m sort of on my last bunch of horses,” she explains. “I hope she does well, I always said when I got out of horses I wanted to go out with a bang.”
In addition to I’m Eager, Harley resident Langille will harness Spring Emmy from Post 2 in the ninth race. Wes Heckford bred and owns Spring Emmy and is looking forward to seeing her in action at Woodstock.
“I haven’t really seen too much of her. I don’t bother my trainer, as a matter of fact I didn’t even know he was going to qualify her,” says Heckford.
Spring Emmy also qualified at Flamboro Downs on June 23, trotting around the half-mile oval in 2:11. Gord Rayner piloted the Emile Angus daughter last week and will return to the race bike Saturday, facing off against four other Grassroots hopefuls.
“One good thing is there’s only five horses in my race,” says Tillsonburg resident Heckford with a wry chuckle. “So I am guaranteed some money as long as I get around the track.”
Woodstock Raceway raises the curtain on its entertaining afternoon of racing at 1 pm this Saturday, with the two-year-old trotting fillies taking centre stage in Races 3, 8 and 9.