Harness racing returns to Manitoba this Saturday (June 26), as the province's annual fair circuit consisting of a 10-week stand in Miami, an 80-minute drive southwest from Winnipeg, commences.

The Manitoba season begins with 51 horses drawn for a nine-race card over the Miami half-mile track, led by a $2,450 Open slotted as the third race.

The featured event represents a homecoming for 2-1 early favourite Baylor Out, who returns to Manitoba after beginning his career on the provincial circuit and then widely traversing the western half of the continent through the last five years. After amassing 19 wins in his career and taking a mark of 1:52.2 at Cal-Expo, the eight-year-old Armbro Baylor gelding prepared for his 2021 debut with a six-length qualifying win on June 13. Marc Fillion, who owns, trains and bred Baylor Out, will also handle the driving duties from post three in the field of five.

Only one of his foes has competed thus far in 2021: Dont Rock The Boat, whom owner-trainer Kevin Hildebrandt acquired this month. The five-year-old Riverboat King gelding last competed at Century Downs in May, and last won on April 16 at Fraser Downs as part of the Jim Marino stable in a $6,000 claiming event. Hildebrandt will also drive the eight-time winner from post four.

Lisplaced (Glenn LeDrew, post one), Senga Savannah (Tyler Grundy, post two) and Pure Addition (Don Howlett, post five) complete the Open field.

The Circuit will host racing in Miami every Saturday afternoon through Aug. 28, with post time consistently slated for 3 p.m. CT. In the event inclement weather forces a card to be abandoned, Sept. 4 is reserved as a make-up day.

To view Saturday's entries and program pages (courtesy TrackIT), click the following links: Entries | Program Pages.