Kawartha Downs paid tribute to its paddock judge Mike Masters on Saturday (Sept. 18), naming a race in honour of his many decades of service to the Peterborough track.
Mike Masters has worked at Kawartha Downs for over 30 years and is a well-known figure and colleague among the tracks’ driving colony and horsemen. The afternoon’s fifth race, won by driver Reg Gassien behind Unprecedented, was named in his honour. Masters (pictured in the blue golf shirt with beige shorts) was joined in the winner’s circle presentation by several of Kawartha Downs’ drivers.
The card at Kawartha got underway with misfortune when an accident marred the start of the evening’s opening race.
Lilly United left for position from post 2 at the start of the first race but quickly jumped off stride, knocking into pylon-starter Antoinette. The sudden collision impacted second-tier starter Shez In Control, who fell to the track and soon got back up. Samara Johnson, driving Shez In Control, was the only driver unseated from the incident.
Trot Insider learned that all drivers were okay from the accident, with Justin Turcotte – driving Antoinette – reporting a sore arm. Shez In Control scraped her knee from contact, but the vet reported that the filly sustained no other injuries. All other horses involved escaped uninjured.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
Congratulations Double M! One
Congratulations Double M! One of the best!