"Always A Pleasure" To Meet The Fans
- Wednesday, November 23, 2011 | Standardbred Canada
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Top North American harness driver Tim Tetrick will be making his first-ever appearance at The Raceway at the Western Fair District this Saturday (November 23), and 'The Bionic Man' is looking forward to his debut at the London, Ont. half-miler.
“Hopefully, it will be a good experience. I always like driving at tracks I’ve never been to before and meeting new people. It keeps things fresh,” said Tetrick who is the leading driver in North America this year in terms of money won with $14.8 million in accumulated purses to date, almost one million more than his closest rival, George Brennan.
Tetrick, who is third on the drivers’ list in terms of wins with 679 victories to date in 2011, is making the trip to London to guide recent Breeders Crown champion Anndrovette, who drew Post 6 in yesterday’s draw for the $195,000 Forest City Pace.
“She’s won some Opens before at Yonkers, so I’m confident in her on the half-mile. But, she will have to be as good as she’s been and will really have to earn this one from the outside post,” noted Tetrick.
A four-year-old daughter of Riverboat King owned by Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino of New Jersey, Anndrovette has earned more money this season than her other seven talented rivals with $747,000 banked so far. Trained by Mark Kesmodel, she has over $1.3 million earned in her career.
Nicknamed The Bionic Man due to having one of his hips replaced, Tetrick hasn't let that slow him down. “I’m really happy with this year; the numbers are good and I’ve stayed healthy, which is the main thing. The hip I had replaced feels great and the other one is holding up well so far. I’ll keep going until that one tells me it is time to get done, too,” added Tetrick, who celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday.
Tetrick, along with other top drivers Jody Jamieson and Trevor Henry, will be on-hand for an autograph session at Western Fair on Saturday night from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. by the main entrance.
“I’m more than happy to come out early and meet the fans. Without them, we wouldn’t get to do what we do. It is always a pleasure.”
The Forest City Pace, which will head postward as Race 12 on Western Fair's Saturday card (7:05 p.m. first-race post time), has been reduced to eight starters, as Seriously has been scratched by her connections due to sickness. The two mares with the outside posts, Chancey Lady and Ticket To Rock, will leave from the two trailing positions.
The revised field will go to post as follows:
(Head No. - Horse - Post Position - Driver - Trainer - Morning Line Odds)
1 - Warrawee Koine - PP1 - Ja. Brewer - C. Johnson - 9-2
2 - Voelz Hanover - PP2 - M. Baillargeon - B. Baillargeon - 8-1
3 - Ginger And Fred - PP3 - T. Henry - R. Burke - 4-1
4 - Blissful Smile - PP4 - S. Zeron - T. O'Sullivan - 7-1
5 - Dreamfair Eternal - PP5 - C. Christoforou - P. Fletcher - 6-1
6 - Anndrovette - PP6 - T. Tetrick - M. Kesmodel - 7-5
7 - Chancey Lady - PP8 - R. Shepherd - M. Kesmodel - 6-1
8 - Ticket To Rock - PP9 - J. Jamieson - T. O'Sullivan - 5-1
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Western Fair, click the following link: Saturday - Western Fair
(Western Fair)