by Ashley Mayotte, WEG communications

Campbellville, ON — Thirty-six older pacers will be in the spotlight for the first leg of the inaugural Beat The Heat Series at Mohawk on Saturday, June 25.

Inspired Art is hoping to steal the show in one of four divisions for trainer Barry Treen. The 6-year-old gelding has had a solid start to his 2011 campaign on the B-tracks, with a record of 3-3-3 in 16 starts with $29,655 in seasonal earnings.

“He hasn’t really raced on the big track very often,” Treen said of coming to Mohawk. “He’s been very successful for the last eight or nine months. He’s a real good five-eighths, half-mile horse. We are kind of going into it (Beat The Heat Series) hoping that he will do well at Mohawk.”

Venturing to the big leagues has its list of unknowns, but the Peterborough resident says his bay has speed and a good draw on his side.

“He can go enough. He won in (1):52.1 over Kawartha last summer, twice, and the same at Fraser Downs,” he explained. “So speed is not a problem for him and I think (post position 5) is a great starting spot. It’s right in the middle of the gate and it will give the driver lots of options.”

Treen usually drives his own horses, but has decided to hand over the lines to veteran driver and WEG regular Mario Baillargeon.

“When you go to Mohawk it’s a little different. You’re dealing with the top 10 or 15 drivers in the country,” he stated. “I have no issues handing over the lines to the top guys.”

The son of Artiscape-Inspiration was a risky purchase for the conditioner back in February of 2010. Treen claimed Inspired Art for $10,000 at Fraser Downs.

“He didn’t have a lot of money made at the time, but he was worth taking a gamble on and so far the gamble has paid off,” he said. “He’s been one of our top horses since relocating from B.C. to Ontario.”

Last year, Inspired Art made seven trips to the winner’s circle, had three seconds and six third-place finishes in 36 starts. He banked $50,228 in earnings for owners Tammy Lynn Turner, Annabelle De La Pena and Jack Thompson.

Treen says winning is always great whether on a small or big track, but admits winning with Inspired Art at Mohawk would be extra special.

“When you can go to the top circuit and win a race, it’s great,” Treen said.

The new Beat The Heat series is for pacers that are 4-year-olds and older who are non-winners of C$25,000 in 2011 as of midnight June 1, 2011. Any winners over C$100,000 in 2010 are ineligible.

The fields for the four divisions are listed below:

First Division (Race 2)
PP-Horse
1. Seer Of Patmos
2. Willies Place
3. Suprizemeagain
4. Power Off
5. My Fella
6. Lookin For A Fight
7. All Tiger N
8. Voltage
9. L H Lil Count

Second Division (Race 4)
1. Gimme A Big Hug
2. Risky Rich
3. Impulse Seelster
4. Grand Bend Turbo
5. Shelbys Cobra
6. Natural Habitat
7. Hamlin Hanover
8. Stonebridge Cowboy
9. The Ladies Man

Third Division (Race 8)
1. Our Mclovin
2. F Train
3. Rock Me Amastreos
4. Allamerican Motive
5. Little Gold Ring
6. Western Tsunami
7. Bolero Trisco
8. Shipps Xpectancy
9. Nobel Duharas

Fourth Division (Race 9)
1. Dark Prince
2. Panda Bear
3. R Lil King
4. U Bettor Watch Out
5. Inspired Art
6. Flem N Em N
7. Outrageous Art
8. Junior K
9. Future Million

The second leg of the Beat The Heat Series is scheduled for Saturday, July 2, with the C$60,000 final slated for Saturday, July 9.