A 10-race card opened the 18-day race meet at Kawartha Downs on Saturday night (May 20).
Two $5,000 events served as features on the opening-night card, one on the pace and one on the trot. In the pace, Julerica pushed first over after a :59.3 first half and overpowered pacesetter and odds-on favourite Mad Man Hill to win by a half-length in 1:58.3. Matts Tuition, pocket-sitter, took second and Mad Man Hill settled for third. Reg Gassien drove the Thomas Riley trainee who races for owners Amanda Riley and Barry McClennan. The 11-year-old American Ideal gelding returned $5.60 to win.
Sonofamillionaire came with similar first-over fervor to win in 2:00 by a half length in the featured trot. Also driven by Reg Gassien, Sonofamillionaire got underway after a :59.2 first half and gradually ground into tempo-setter Brady Bunch before eventually grabbing the lead and withstanding late charges from Hesohot Hanover and O Narutac Perfetto, respectively. Russell Bax trains the eight-year-old Donato Hanover gelding for owner Baxmar Holsteins Ltd. He paid $15.80 to win.
Last season’s leading driver and trainer at Kawartha had productive evenings on opening night. Reg Gassien, who led drivers in money and wins, won four of the 10 races on the card. Thomas Riley, who led trainers in money and wins, took two races including the co-feature. Riley sits tied in the trainer standings with Braiden Reibeling, who swept the late daily double.
Racing at Kawartha continues weekly through Sept. 23 with cards mostly on Saturdays and on select Fridays. First-race post time at Kawartha Downs is 7 p.m. (EDT).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.