Saturday night's card of harness racing set for Georgian Downs features some high-powered talent in the $472,500 Upper Canada Cup and the $115,500 Honourable Earl Rowe Trot, including the rare appearance of a few
drivers from the Meadowlands.
One driver making his debut at the Barrie-area oval is Tim Tetrick, North America's leading money winning driver for the past three years and the single season dash record holder. Tetrick is in town to drive the multiple award-winning trotting mare Buck I St Pat, who has been installed as the 5-2 choice in the 24th edition of the Earl Rowe.
"She's such a classy mare. She's been through the racing wars year in and year out," Tetrick told Trot Insider. "So far, I've been pretty conservative with her to help get her legs under her."
That approach has worked well so far as the seven-year-old Jailhouse Jesse - Name It Something mare has tallied two wins (1:54.3 and 1:53.2) and a third in three starts at Harrah's Chester's Open level this season for owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, Ronald Fuller and trainer Ron Burke.
Also benefiting from the Burke stable's entry is trainer Dave Menary, who was left without a driver in the Upper Canada Cup final after Jody Jamieson selected Twin B Warrior over Menary's elim winner Haul Away. Tetrick has nine drives on Saturday's card, and has picked up the drive on 3-1 second choice Haul Away.
"That worked out real good for me," said Menary. "Ron really helped get Tim up here and I'm quite pleased." Menary manages a few Burke-owned horses that ship north to race in Canada.
"I'm happy we drew right close to Jeff's colt," continued Menary, who will make a few equipment changes on Haul Away before he heads to the gate on Saturday night from the rail - just to the inside of 5-2 morning line choice Twin B Warrior, trained by Jeff Gillis.
Plans for Haul Away after Saturday night are up in the air as he's not eligible for the Burlington Stakes. Menary stated he would assess his colt after the Upper Canada Cup before making a decision on whether he'd enter Haul Away into the Pepsi North America Cup.
For Saturday night's entries, click here.