FRASERVILLE, ON — A pair of talented local colts flexed their muscles at Kawartha Downs on Tuesday afternoon and demonstrated to the rest of the two-year-old pacing colt field how things are done in Peterborough.

Presidential Alert and Paul MacDonell delivered a magnificent performance in the fourth of five Gold Eliminations to lower the track record for freshman pacing colts by four-fifths of a second. The Presidential Ball son and Oshawa native MacDonell took command of the race just after the :29 opening quarter, led the field to a steady :58 half and then set the house on fire, scorching home to a 1:54.1 victory.

The pair finished four lengths in front of runner-up Penn Turbo Ted and seven lengths up on Daylon Classic. Fan favourite Apaches Josh settled for fourth.

Newcastle residents Mike and Sandra Smith plucked Presidential Alert out of the Fall Extravaganza Sale last year for a mere $2,200. Mike Smith trains the talented youngster, who prepped for Tuesday’s contest with a pair of qualifiers at Mohawk Racetrack, finishing fourth on June 11 and then posting a 1:58.4 win in his June 18 effort.

One race prior to Presidential Alert’s track record effort, local favourite Northern Cowboy came within a whisker of equalling the former 1:55 speed record held by Extreme Three (�04) and Pierce Seelster (�00).

Driver Michael Horner also opted for a front-end strategy, laying down fractions of :27. :55.4 and 1:24.1 en route to the 1:55.1 victory. Quality Import landed the second-place cheque in the $24,405 event, while Mr Willpower sprinted down the stretch to earn the third-place share. The favourite once again went down in defeat as Alastor Hanover made an early break and finished fifth.

Mark Horner trains Northern Cowboy for owners and breeder Wilma and James Mackenzie of Peterborough. The St. Marys’ resident also trains his full sister Thankgodiamafilly, who is already a Grassroots winner this season.

Trainer Carl Jamieson sent seven freshman colts to Kawartha on Tuesday, but only went home with one Gold Series trophy. Dance Hanover overcame a tough trip around the outside to land a 1:55.3 victory in Race 9. The Astreos son bested Hombre by three-quarters of a length and Button Up by one length more. Favourite Impeccable settled for fourth.

Jody Jamieson drove Dance Hanover to the win for the Ultimate Stable of Dieppe, NB, who acquired the colt at last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale for $50,000.

Bye Bye Grin also delivered a gritty effort up the outside to claim the first freshman Ontario Sires Stakes trophy presented this season. The Grinfromeartoear son and Mike Saftic bested Northern Tropics and favourite Ranger Seelster to secure the 1:56.3 victory for trainer Bill Budd and PBR Systems Group of Freelton, who purchased the colt for $15,000 out of the Canadian Classic Yearling Sale.

The other division brought Kawartha Downs fans to their feet as the top three colts battled down the stretch to finish within half a length of each other. The finish was so close that racing officials were unable to distinguish between Great Balldini and favourite Warrawee Hero in the finish line photo and declared a dead heat for second. Hunter Hylight claimed the 1:56.4 win for trainer Stacy Ann Beckley and owners Elmer Henkel, Galloway, OH and Hylight Stable, Columbus, OH.

The dead heat also resulted in a head scratching dilemma, as only the top two colts from each division could advance to the July 5 Final. Ontario Racing Commission judges will review the eliminations this week to determine which colts will return to Kawartha Downs next Tuesday for their first $130,000 Gold Final.

For complete results from Tuesday please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rkdftu.html