WINDSOR, ON — Windsor Raceway plays host to the exciting two-year-old pacing colts in a trio of Gold Series Eliminations on Sunday evening.
With 42 points earned through the first three Gold events of the season, Button Up will be looking to add a few more to his tally from the advantageous Post 1 in the eighth race. While many of his peers battled North America’s best in the September stakes at Mohawk Racetrack, Button Up has been enjoying a well earned vacation and co-owner Steve Calhoun says the young pacer appears to be right on track heading into Sunday’s test.
“I think the colt had eight or nine starts and he was getting tired. He had some tough races and he was ready for a rest,” says the Chatham resident, who shares ownership on Button Up with trainer Mark Horner of St. Marys. “Mark said he was terrific the whole time he was off. He’s eating the bottom of his bucket, he put on weight and he’s ready to go.”
The winner of the Aug. 1 Battle Of Waterloo Final at Grand River Raceway, Button Up struggled somewhat in his last two Gold Series appearances and Calhoun hopes to see a slightly different performance from the Northern Luck colt on Sunday.
“He’s a little bit of a handful behind the gate,” explains Calhoun. “At Flamboro in his last two starts he got way off the gate. In the elimination he had the rail and ended up seventh and then had to come first up, so there is still work to be done there.”
Calhoun acquired a share of Button Up after the colt finished third in his elimination of the Gold Series season opener at Kawartha Downs. Since then the consistent youngster has posted a record of two wins and three seconds in seven starts for earnings of $184,626.
“I was watching him on TRN (The Racing Network) and I liked the colt so I called Mark up and asked if he wanted to sell him. Mark said he didn’t want to sell, so I asked if he would be interested in a partner, and he said he would and we agreed on a price,” says the longtime owner. “Most of the horses I own are claimers, so having a nice colt like Button Up racing at the top level of the Ontario Sires Stakes is quite a thrill.”
Button Up and driver Michael Horner will be looking for a top three finish in Sunday’s contest to advance to next weekend’s $130,000 Gold Final, where Calhoun expects to see the same tough group of colts that have been battling in Gold action since June 28.
“This is a tough division. Alastor Hanover is probably the best colt right now,” notes Calhoun. “We drew the rail, that’s a good starting position, now we just hope for a good trip.”
Reigning Gold Final champion Alastor Hanover will make his bid for a sixth straight victory from Post 7 in the sixth race. The Rustler Hanover son has not lost a race since a miscue in the season opener at Kawartha Downs forced him to settle for fifth. Like Button Up, Alastor Hanover heads into Sunday’s contest off a five week holiday, punctuated by a 12 length romp in a qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 16.
Windsor Raceway’s first race gets under way at 7:15 pm on Sunday and the talented two-year-old pacing colts will wage their Gold Elimination battles in Races 4, 6 and 8.
For a complete list of entries please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/entries/data/ewrfsu.html