Harness racing's future stars are in the midst of learning their early lessons with baby races getting into full swing this weekend, but one colt and filly already appear to have it figured out.
Pacing filly O See My Artist was Canada's first two-year-old winner on Tuesday, May 28 at Western Fair Raceway. Driven by Hall of Famer Dave Wall and trained by his son Dean, O See My Artist defeated a field of maiden sophomore fillies over a sloppy surface to win her first start in 2:00.4 by more than five lengths.
The filly from the first crop of Artistic Fella out of the Bo Knows Jate mare O See My Bo is owned by breeder Douglas Ea Lovely of Ilderton, Ontario along with London's Elmer Jorgensen.
A relatively modest-priced 2012 yearling is set to make his pari-mutuel debut after becoming Canada's first two-year-old of the year to qualify in winning fashion last week.
Special Agent Man, a trotting colt from the first crop of Federal Flex out of the Conway Hall mare Minor Skirmish, was a 2:03.3 qualifying winner on Tuesday, May 21 for trainer-driver Claude Beausoleil. Owned by Ecuries Richelieu Inc. of Quebec, Special Agent Man was a $1,500 yearling purchase from the Spring Haven Farm consignment at SC's 2012 Canadian Yearling Sale after being raised in Ohio by LMN Bred Stables.
Trot Insider has learned that Special Agent Man will make his first start of 2013 at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, starting from post one in a maiden event. After getting his early lessons in Quebec, Special Agent Man has his sights set on the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
Baby races get underway in earnest on Saturday, June 1 at Mohawk Racetrack, with six qualifiers for two-year-olds - four on the pace and two on the trot. The link above is a TrackIT style program for all of Saturday's qualifiers.
To keep tabs on the freshman crop of 2013 during the harness racing season, visit SC's Sire Index of Two-Year-Old Winners, located under the Statistics section and updated every morning.