Kawartha Downs will roll out the red carpet for the Ontario Sires Stakes program this Saturday (July 20), as it will welcome four divisions of two-year-old trotting colts and geldings for the second Grassroots start of their campaign.

Among the youngsters scheduled to vie for a share of the $91,900 in Ontario Sires Stakes purse money is Tymal Tarot, who took a victorious test run over the Kawartha Downs oval last Saturday. The son of Kadabra was in rein to his trainer, Rod Hughes, and the duo was elevated to the win when Meeas Dream was placed back for causing interference, but Hughes was still pleased with his protégé’s second lifetime start.

“Not the way you want to do it, but we’ll take it,” the Dunsford, Ont. resident said with a chuckle.

“He’s very calm, does everything you want. Really hasn’t done much wrong all winter training down,” added Hughes, who owns, trains and drives Tymal Tarot. “He’s done nothing wrong so far, so hopefully Saturday doesn’t put a blip on that.”

Hughes and Tymal Tarot will line up to Post 4 in the third $23,150 Grassroots division, They will face off against a group of eight rivals that will include J Cs Royal Tease, who was a 2:02.3 winner in the Grassroots season opener at Georgian Downs on July 7. Tymal Tarot made his debut at the Gold Series level at Woodbine Mohawk Park on July 4, but floundered against the province’s top colts and finished ninth.

“I think, just looking back, he’s probably just two or three weeks behind everyone that’s stabled up near Mohawk, just lacking a little bit of experience,” said Hughes. “I do still think he has more potential, but yeah, maybe jumped in a little over our head there the first time. He just got a little lost when he got gapped out in that Gold.”

The gelding will be looking to find his place amongst the Grassroots regulars on Saturday and gain enough points over the four remaining events to qualify for the post season.

In addition to the freshman trotting colts, Kawartha Downs will also roll out the red carpet for NHL legend Darryl Sittler this Saturday. For complete information regarding Sittler’s appearance at the track, click here.

Saturday’s program will get underway at 7 p.m. and the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings will battle in Race 2, 4, 7 and 9.

To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Kawartha, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Kawartha Downs.

(OSS)