Skies clear for racing

The weather was kind to Kawartha Downs Saturday night as despite a torrential downpour prior to the races and some rough weather afterwards, the skies cleared and the weather was warm for the 10 race card. Reg Gassien recorded back to back wins in the second and third races. His first trip to the winner’s circle was courtesy of Dana Salaam who hit the wire in 1:55.4. The five-yearold daughter of Ameripan Gigolo was recording her fourth win of the season for trainer Brian Collins and owner Alvin Cormier of Oshawa. Victorias Jet gave him the second tally as she tripped the timer in 1:58. It was the second straight win and third in six life starts for the three-year-old daughter of Big Jim trained by Dave Gibson for owner/ breeder Val Spar Stables of West Hill. Young driver Jim Gillespie also recorded a pair of victories, the first with Ken Kan Win in the fifth race and the second with Radar Trap in the eighth. The fastest win of the night was the 1:55.1 effort turned in by The Love Bug guided by Nick Boyd to a 1:55.1 score. Steve LeBlanc trains and co-owns the 10 year-old gelding by Artesian. Lots of folks remained after the end of the Kawartha card to watch and wager on the $1 million North America Cup from Mohawk Racetrack with one lucky fan who correctly predicted Fear The Dragon as the winner going home with NA Cup shirts and hats generously donated by Mohawk. Kawartha Downs is back in action Saturday with a 7 p.m. first post.