Twenty-one three-year-old trotting colts and geldings are gearing up for their first 2011 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event on Sunday, May 22 at Mohawk Racetrack
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Three eliminations will be contested at the Campbellville oval to determine who will advance to the $130,000 final on Monday, May 30.
Sir Tyson will be one trotter looking to advance for trainer Mike Keeling. Keeling is no stranger to talented trotters as he conditioned one of the top OSS mares, Elusive Desire, throughout her $1.3 million career.
The Cambridge, Ont. conditioner believes Sir Tyson has enough talent and speed to be competitive on Sunday, but his manners are the main concern.
“Paul [MacDonell] loves him, he said all along he was going be good horse, but he is very high strung and needs to learn to mind his manners,” said Keeling. “I think we have a good grasp on him now. We gelding him and that seems to have helped.”
Sir Tyson put in an impressive performance in his most recent outing on May 12, coming from off-the-pace to finish third with his own mile timed in 1:56.2. With regular pilot MacDonell at the Oslo Grand Prix in Norway, veteran driver Steve Condren got the call.
“Last week, Steve drove him very conservatively and he trotted very strong down the stretch,” said Keeling. “We were happy with him.”
With plans to race Sir Tyson in the OSS program this season as well as a couple other stakes in Ontario, Keeling realizes his promising charge is not out of the woods just yet and it is essential that his pupil’s well-behaved attitude continues.
“He’s going to be a bit of a long-term project. We are going to keep him on the big tracks for now and let him build his confidence and the driver’s confidence in him,” he said.
The son of Angus Hall-Victors Pursuit was a $75,000 yearling purchase at the Harrisburg sale.
The bay is owned by P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc. of Cambridge, William Weaver III of Freehold, New Jersey, Steve Organ of Aurora, Ont. and A K Malik Stable of Ottawa, Ont..
Sir Tyson leaves from post eight in race four to compete in Sunday evening’s featured $40,000 elims. The top three finishers and one fourth place finisher will advance to the final.
First race post time for Sunday’s Fireworks and Family Fun night is 6:30 p.m. Once racing concludes, fans can stay for the dazzling fireworks show, which begins at 9:30 p.m.
(WEG)