This Saturday (June 4), Kawartha Downs will be host to RUS Ontario's season opener. A field of six trotters has been assembled and will head behind the gate for Race 6 at roughly 8:40 p.m.
Four new horses will be making their first lifetime start under saddle, as well as one newly-licensed rider.
See R Chin Win will team up with rider Michelle Olson and trainer Ronda Markle over their home track from Post 1 for the trio’s debut to racing under saddle.
Gracies Harmony will be making her first RUS appearance and will be guided by the experienced hands of veteran rider Marielle Enberg for Jim Tropea. Jim is a past supporter of RUS Ontario and returns with his second trotter to compete in racing under saddle.
Schrodinger will pair up with MAD Barn-sponsored rider Sarah Town after two solid under saddle qualifiers over the Western Fair District and Clinton Raceway. He will make his first under saddle start for trainer Brianne Sloan and is owned by longtime RUS Ontario supporting owner John Patterson.
Southwind Alice will round out the fourth maiden starter under saddle for trainer Dave Dowling and the talented Evelyn Harmes after two impressive qualifying starts over Flamboro Downs and the Western Fair District.
Returning to racing under saddle is 2015's RUS horse of the year, Santo Domingo, who will challenge from Post 5 for trainer Mike Guitard. 2014's top rider, Marit Valstad, will be at the reins for the second start with the nine-year-old gelding.
Rounding out the field is Massive Muscles, last year's winner over the Kawartha oval for trainer Paul Walker. Karoline Nielsen, who recently made the move from Denmark to race in Canada, will be at the reins for her third Canadian start since 2015.
Riders will be present for meet and greet and poster signings inside the grandstand before and after the race, in conjunction with Kawartha Downs’ Celebration of the Horse Night.
Fans will have the chance to interact and take photos with a retired standardbred courtesy of Go and Play Stables.
The fifth race of the night will feature the Kids Club Pace, where one lucky Kid Club member will be drawn to make the race presentation and will take home a complimentary win photo.
Kawartha's usual Second Chance draw will be held throughout the night. Fans can deposit their non-winning ticket in the Raffle drum for a chance to win during the third, sixth and ninth race of the night. Prizes include a $50 betting voucher.
RUS Ontario welcomes all new trainers owners and riders to the 2016 season, and would like to thank everyone for their continued support.
(RUS Ontario)