The 2010 edition of Xtreme Horsepower is set for this Saturday at Georgian Downs, featuring some Xtreme returning champions set to defend
their Xtreme titles.
The fourth annual event mixes the best from the earlier editions with several new wrinkles. It features five 18-horse dashes, ranging in distance from one mile to 2-1/2 miles. The Xtreme Sprint and Xtreme Battle return at reduced distances of 1/8 miles and 5/8 miles respectively. Add in the Xtreme Rewind, raced clockwise, the Xtreme Shotgun, raced from a walking start, and the Xtreme Showdown, a national grudge match at 1-7/8 miles and you’ve got a card unlike any other on the planet.
Total purses for the day including hitching fees will amount to $250,000. A payment of $300 will be made to all starters that do not earn purse money.
Abbey Road C will make his third straight start in the Xtreme Rewind Trot and looks to become the first three-time winner in Xtreme Horsepower history. The classy 11-year-old veteran will head to the gate for the 273rd time in his career, and the 273rd time with trainer Keith Jones at the controls. A winner of 65 races and over $2 million lifetime, the gelded son of Incredible Abe - Jayport Whimsey has Post 6 in the 1-1/4 mile trotting event.
In the 2009 Rewind, Abbey Road C became just the sixth Canadian-sired trotter to surpass $2 million in earnings with his dominant 2:29.3 score.
A summary of the races being offered appears below. For full entries, click here. For program pages courtesy TrackIT, click here.
Xtreme Battle: Speed and stamina are tested in this heat-racing showdown at five-eighths of a mile. For claiming pacers with a base price of $12,000 or lower, two nine-horse eliminations will be carded with the top finishers returning for a $20,000 showdown.
Xtreme Shotgun: Rapid acceleration will be key as a field of trotters cover two laps of the Georgian Downs strip from a walking start. The first horse to cover the 1-1/4 mile distance takes home the lion’s share of $20,000.
Xtreme Mile: A conventional distance meets an unconventional field size. Eighteen pacers will cover a one-mile distance with a $20,000 pot of gold on the line. The Xtreme Mile is open to non-winners of $5,000 in their last five starts.
Xtreme Sprint: Blink and you’ll miss it! The Xtreme Sprint returns at a distance of about one-eighth of a mile. Open to all speed demons, a purse of $15,000 awaits.
Xtreme Rush: A little more distance, but all the speed you can muster. Nine pacers will hit full acceleration in this three-eighths mile sprint in search of a $15,000 prize.
Xtreme Rewind: Throw the rule book away, because this 1-1/4 mile dash is being contested clockwise. Abbey Road C is a two-time winner on the trot. This year, we’ve added a pacing division as well. Nine horses will line up in each for a purse of $20,000.
Xtreme Challenge: Perfect for those trotters and pacers that could ‘go around again’. We’ll add a lap to our normal one mile distance and double the number of starters for this 1-5/8 mile challenge. The Xtreme Challenge is for horses that have started for a base claiming price of $12,000 or lower, or for non-winners of $60,000. Separate events will be held for trotters and pacers for a purse of $20,000.
Xtreme Showdown: Whether you’re local or “from away” as the east coasters like to say, everyone’s “at home” in the Xtreme Showdown. Eighteen $5,000 to $8,000 claimers will be invited to the ultimate national grudge match. Horses representing each of Canada’s 10 provinces – either via breeding, foaling or ownership – will wear their flags in pursuit of $25,000.
Xtreme Classic: The ultimate test of endurance. We throw the door open to claiming trotters for the ‘grand daddy’ of them all – a four lap, 2-1/2 mile battle of attrition. For those up to the test, a purse of $25,000 awaits.