One of the top reinsmen from the Maritimes will be making a rare Ontario appearance this weekend as driver Todd Trites will suit up and compete at Woodbine

Racetrack.

"Trevin [trainer Trevin Shive] was heading down with some to race for two or three weeks and he invited me down to give them a spin," Todd Trites told Trot Insider. "We are great friends on and off the track and he has given me a lot of opportunities to drive for him all over."

Trites, who works for New Brunswick Power during the day, will take ten days away from the rigours of his day job and a break from his family to compete on Canadian harness racing's biggest stage.

"I'm certainly going to make the best of it. I got to Ontario to race a few months back at Rideau and had a good time, I think I won three of five driving for Trevin and Jamie Copley who is red hot right now. But getting back to Woodbine is a real thrill for me."

Not only is Trites thrilled, but so are his four girls and his wife, Paula.

"My wife and kids are excited for me as well. I'm planning a Valentine dinner for Thursday before I fly out early Friday, and the girls will be sure to watch the races online or at the intertrack to cheer me on."

The New Brunswick-based Trites is so far listed on My Fine Lady on Friday night, P H Bestman on Saturday night and P H Hotshot on Sunday - all for trainer Shive.

"My first two drives are coming off qualifiers at Truro and both looked good. My Fine Lady was my first drive every at Woodbine a few years ago, she is a classy mare that is good on or near the front and can also come from off the pace. P H Bestman has the inside post on Saturday night and he was sharp in his qualifier. He has wicked gate speed but will follow a helmet if the right one comes along."

P H Hotshot is unbeaten in two tests at Truro but the three-year-old will be making a major jump in class to try tackling the lower conditioned ranks here.

"This is a nice colt that Trevin trained down last year and quit with him knowing he had a nice colt that needed time to develop," stated Trites. "He's not very big but has done everything I have asked of him with ease so far. He will get a chance to stretch out a little on the big track. I really like this fella."

Links to entries for Woodbine Racetrack:

• Friday, February 12, 2010*
• Saturday, February 13, 2010
• Sunday, February 14, 2010