Rideau Carleton Raceway rolls out the red carpet for Ontario’s best two-year-old trotting colts on Thursday, August 4, hosting two $18,000 Grassroots divisions and three $70,000 Gold Series battles.

In addition to the on-track action, Ottawa area fans will have an opportunity to join the winner’s circle celebrations following the second Grassroots division by playing the Ontario Sires Stakes “Be A Winner” contest. Among the colts hoping to find their way to the Rideau Carleton winner’s circle from the second division is Tougher Than Ever, who is co-owned by Ottawa resident Mel Hartman.

“He’s a homebred, part owned by Mr. Hartman, who is one of the best owners in the business,” noted Tougher Than Ever’s New Jersey-based trainer Richard 'Nifty' Norman.

Tougher Than Ever finished fourth in the Grassroots season opener at Georgian Downs on July 9, and then recorded a 2:02.2 victory in the July 20 event at Grand River Raceway.

Unfortunately, the son of Kadabra and One Tough Lass made a break in the July 28 contest at Mohawk Racetrack, so Hartman and his co-owners Herb Liverman of Miami Beach, Fla. and David McDuffee of Delray Beach, Fla. are hoping the youngster demonstrates a return to form on Thursday.

“He’s a good, solid horse,” said Norman. “That was an out of character break last week.”

Veteran reinsman Jack Moiseyev of Moffat, Ont. will steer Tougher Than Ever from Post 6 in the sixth race on Thursday. Among the colts the pair will face is July 28 division winner Many A Man from Post 2.

Fans hoping to meet Tougher Than Ever, Many A Man or one of their peers can enter the Ontario Sires Stakes “Be A Winner” contest for a chance to join the Race 6 winner’s circle celebrations. One finalist will be drawn from the ballot boxes representing each colt in the race and each finalist will receive an Ontario Sires Stakes t-shirt, ball cap, and lanyard badge, along with a $15 win-place-show wager on their chosen horse.

After cheering home their chosen horses, the winning finalist will join their horse and his connections in the winner’s circle. A jacket and golf shirt will be added to the grand prize winner’s Ontario Sires Stakes wardrobe, and they will also receive a trophy, commemorative photograph and $50 wagering voucher.

In addition to Race 6, the two-year-old trotting colt Grassroots competitors will also battle in Race 4, while the Gold Series colts show off their skills in Races 1, 8 and 11. Post time for Rideau Carleton Raceway’s Thursday evening program is 6:30 p.m. To view Thursday's entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Rideau Carleton Raceway

(with files from OSS)