LONDON, OCT. 16, 2001 – Kicking off the second weekend of a month long run of Ontario Sires Stakes events, the three-year-old pacing colts are set to impress Western Fair Raceway fans in six Grass Roots divisions on Friday night.

Among the talented youngsters converging on Western Fair this weekend are division leader His Honor, who and will make a bid for his fourth Grass Roots win from Post 1 in the ninth race, and Dresden Raceway track record holder Sir Orion, who starts from Post 6 in the first race on the 7:30 pm program.

Warrawee Comet, who sits second in the point standings, and regular driver Jody Jamieson will attempt to atone for a less than sparkling effort in the Oct. 6 Grass Roots event from Post 3 in Race 2.

“He had the trailing post position at Kawartha and got too close to the horse in front. Jody (Jamieson) kind of blames himself, but the horse was raring to go and you could see Jody was in trouble at the start,” explains trainer Daryl Roberts. “They didn’t get away too fast and Jody was straight back in the race bike on him.”

Roberts shares ownership on Warrawee Comet with David Baliunas of Dorchester, John Kwiatkoski of London and Rick Zeron Stables of Oakville and the horseman expects a much different performance from the colt on Friday.

“He drew the three-hole in London and he’s raced over there all year. I started him there in January,” says the London resident. “He gets around a half really well.”

With Warrawee Comet’s berth in the Oct. 25 Grass Roots Semifinal locked up, Roberts has been concentrating on getting the colt in peak condition for the post season action. The top 16 point earners through the six regular season events advance to the Semifinal and the top four finishers from each Semifinal compete in the $100,000 Grass Roots Championship on Nov. 1 at Hiawatha Horse Park.

“They are in London Friday and in Sarnia Thursday and that should be good for him,” says Roberts. “He’s back in six days and then back in seven days so he should be tight. It’s going to be exciting.”

While Jamieson, who has been working toward his second OSS drivers title, may have several mounts to choose from in the Semifinal Roberts is confident Warrawee Comet will be in familiar hands Oct. 25.

“Jody likes this horse. In Clinton when he finished second with him he said, “This horse really makes my day,”” says Roberts. “I think (Warrawee Comet) is his favourite three-year-old.”

The three-year-olds take centre stage at Western Fair Raceway in Races 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 on Friday, with the first race rolling in behind the gate at 7:30 pm. The London oval’s exciting stretch of Ontario Sires Stakes action continues Saturday night with Grass Roots divisions for the two-year-old pacing fillies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SANDRA SNYDER AT 519-656-2017 (TEL./FAX) OR smsnyder@sentex.net.