FRASERVILLE, ON — The gloves will be off at Kawartha Downs on Saturday evening when the lightning fast three-year-old pacing colts arrive at the Fraserville oval to compete in their last regular season Grassroots battle. Only the top 16 point earners advance to the Oct. 26 Semifinal and colts hovering on the edge of the leading group will be going for broke in an effort to extend their sophomore season.
Joining the front runners for Saturday’s skirmish are a group of youngsters with their eyes already focused on next year, including local hope One Shot Away, who heads into the first division off a pair of wins at Kawartha Downs, but with no hope of advancing to the Grassroots post season.
“He’s still learning I think,” says Edward Peconi, Jr., who trains One Shot Away for his partner Adelle Laing of Omemee. “I think once he learns how to race a little more he’ll turn into a nice racehorse.”
One Shot Away made his provincial debut in the Aug. 30 Grassroots wild card at Hanover Raceway where he finished fourth in a 1:55.3 mile. The gelding will make his second stab at the program from Post 2 in the second race on Saturday and Peconi thinks he is ready to tackle top colts Sensational Rocket (Post 1) and Village Blitz (Post 8).
“He won his last two over here and if everything goes good he might give them a run for their money,” says the Peterborough resident. “They’ll probably go in 1:54, more than likely, and I think with the right trip he can do it.”
Through 14 starts this season the Camluck son has a record of four wins, three seconds and two thirds, with all four victories coming over the Kawartha oval. Shortly after Wednesday’s post position draw Peconi had not decided who would drive the full brother to $305,616 winner Firststariseetonite, but he was confident that whichever reinsman he selected would have no trouble handling the versatile youngster.
“He is a nice horse to drive,” says the veteran trainer-driver. “Sometimes he gets a little aggressive when you’re warming him up, but when he’s racing he’s just a perfect horse. You can put him on the gate, or take him off, whatever you like.
“And the weather is supposed to be nice, it should be beautiful for racing.”
In addition to their local favourites, Kawartha Downs fans will be treated to performances by all of the top colts in the division. Point leader Tigerama will defend his lofty position from Post 7 in the ninth race, competing against number two colt Twin B Mirage from Post 4, and Peterborough resident Murray Bolton’s St Lads Rookie from Post 8.
Kawartha Downs sends its first race onto the five-eighths mile oval at 7:20 pm on Saturday and the three-year-old pacing colts will put on their speed show in Races 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.