SARNIA, ON — Freshman trotting filly B Cor Reba has led a Jekyll and Hyde existence this summer, but heading into Thursday’s Grassroots event at Hiawatha Horse Park, trainer Barry Drury is hopeful her mild mannered side is starting to re-emerge.

“Until we went to Georgian Downs (July 17) she’d never tightened a line. She was just nice and quiet,” recalls Drury, who trains the filly for Steven and Jacqueline Jackson of Petrolia and Janice Annett of Wyoming.

B Cor Reba finished second in that Gold Series Elimination and returned to Georgian Downs the next week to finish seventh in the Gold Final. Two weeks later Drury hauled the Dr Ronerail daughter to Dresden Raceway for a Grassroots event and watched her make a break behind the gate and then make up enough ground to finish third. In her fourth start, the Aug. 12 Robert Stewart Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack, B Cor Reba made another break behind the gate and finished a distant ninth.

“When we went to Dresden she got all wound up there, and I think she tied up on us that day. She didn’t show anything, but the next day we pulled a blood on her and her muscle count was way up,” recalls Drury. “The next start they had a recall and she did her stupid thing again.

“She’s the most perfect gaited thing you could want, but she’s got to behave herself.”

After making two breaks, B Cor Reba was required to qualify and the filly put her connections through two Ms. Hyde performances before posting a flawless 2:01.3 mile on Monday, Sept. 17, squeaking into Thursday’s Grassroots event by the skin of her teeth.

“I qualified her a week ago Monday (Sept. 10) and she ran behind the gate. Then the other day (Sept. 14) she ran at the quarter for no reason,” recalls Drury, frustration evident in his voice. “She was really good today. She’s worked pretty tough the last 10 days, so maybe we weren’t giving her enough work.

“She has lots of talent. I just hope that her head stays on for Thursday.”

After B Cor Reba failed in her second attempt to qualify this month, Drury admits he was ready to give up on the young trotter. Prepared to cut his losses in hopes of a more successful sophomore season, he suggested to the Jackson’s and Annett that they turn the filly out and wait for next year.

Right up until the moment she crossed the wire in the Sept. 17 qualifier Drury was convinced B Cor Reba was heading for a field, and he notes that more misbehaviour on Thursday will almost certainly signal the end of her freshman campaign.

“When she warmed up (Monday) I thought; there’s no way she’s going to trot. Then she goes down there and proves me wrong,” says the Campbellville resident wryly. “I just figured she’d had enough, but she showed today that she hasn’t.”

Drury will steer B Cor Reba himself on Thursday, sending her after a second deposit of Grassroots points from Post 4 in the second race. The pair face a tough field of Grassroots veterans, including former winners Live In Love from Post 5, Fiesty Fergie from Post 6, Dr Sparky from Post 7, and P C Monirail from Post 8, but Drury feels if B Cor Reba has a Jekyll day she could be a factor.

“If she does what she did today (Monday) they’ll know she’s in there,” says the horseman. “If she really behaves herself and does what we know she’s capable of.”

Post time for Hiawatha Horse Park’s Thursday evening program is 7 pm, and the talented two-year-old trotting fillies will be showcased in Races 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11.

For complete entries please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/entries/data/esarfth.html