First Glance sees victory in 2021 debut

An eight-month layoff was no problem for First Glance in the Kawartha Downs opening day harness racing feature as he rolled by foes in the final quarter for a 2021 debut victory.

Leaving from gate four, Mario Baillargeon slotted the gelding into the six-hole early and remained on the pylons through the opening quarter mile in :27.3. He pulled First Glance off the inside approaching the half in :56.3 and benefited from the cover of Comanche Creek (Edward Peconi Jr.).

Baillargeon exercised patience as he kept his gelding on a helmet through three-quarters in 1:24.4, but he decided it was go time as they rounded the final turn and sent the gelding three-wide. First Glance surged with daylight in front of him and swept by Comanche Creek and previous leader Star Dog (Ryan Guy) en route to a third career victory and new life’s mark in 1:54.2.

Star Dog closed from seventh for place, and Private Scott (Reg Gassien) held onto third.

First Glance is also trained by Baillargeon and owned by The Stable’s First Glance Group, which is based in Guelph. The horse, a three-year-old Thinking Out Loud gelding, is now three-for-nine lifetime with $19,632 in earnings.

Baillargeon doubled as a trainer and pilot a race later with another horse owned by The Stable, Walkonthemoon. It was the horse’s first career win. Drivers Nick Boyd and Tyler Jones also had two wins each on the day.

This was the first racing action at Kawartha Downs since September 26, 2020. Spectators are not allowed at the Fraserville, ON track due to COVID-19 restrictions, and racing operations are subject to health and safety protocols.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink