Ontario Sires Stakes excitement will arrive at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday (Aug. 10). Five races featuring two-year-old trotting fillies will take to the track, as the division will be conducting its third Grassroots leg.

Zebs Flur made her debut in the Grassroots program on July 14 when she finished third in the season opener at Georgian Downs. She then jumped up to the Gold level for her second OSS start, where she finished second over the half-mile oval at Grand River Raceway on July 24. The filly is returning to the Grassroots level for her third provincial appearance. She is set to start from Post 1 in the second $23,500 division.

“She’s surprised us, let’s put it that way, for the price of her and where she came from,” said Wyoming resident Don Allensen, who shares ownership of Zebs Flur with the Bax Stable (of Campbellville, Ont.) and the Goin To The Show Stable (Peterborough, Ont.). The partners offered up $14,000 for the daughter of Muscle Mass at last year’s London Selected Yearling Sale.

“She raced [well] the other night in Grand River (July 24) – she come through the middle there and got second, so that was good.”

Regular reinsman Stephen Byron will steer Zebs Flur on Saturday, where she will face a tough field that includes division co-leader Canadian Titan from Post 3 and former Grassroots winner Highland Foxytrotr from Post 7. Like Zebs Flur, Highland Foxytrotr stepped up to the Gold level for her second start and finished third behind the undefeated Warrawee Vicky.

“I’m glad she drew the rail in Hiawatha,” said Allensen, who will miss the filly’s start at his local oval due to a prior commitment. “I think she’s one that’s just going to maybe surprise you if she gets the right trip and gets away [well]. She’s got some step at the end.”

In addition to Zebs Flur, trainer John Bax will also send out Golden Gavel from Post 10 in the first division, Up And Trending from Post 6 in the fourth split, and Need An Alibi from Post 4 in the last division.

The two-year-old trotting fillies will kick off Hiawatha Horse Park’s Saturday evening program at 6:30 p.m. and will also showcase their skills in Races 2, 4, 7, and 8.

To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Sarnia, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Hiawatha Horse Park.

(OSS)