by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Veteran horseman Roger Mayotte has won the final of the General Brock Trotting Series twice as a driver, but has yet to win it with one of his own trainees.

Mayotte, who won the 2003 edition of the General Brock with the Roy Jeffries trainee Stonebridge Velvet and the 2007 event with the Brad Maxwell-trained Ericskarri, is hopeful that a new addition to his stable can give him that coveted first.

Herbie L’s first task is to contest the C$20,000 opening round of the General Brock on Monday (March 12) at Woodbine.

New Image Media photo

Herbie L enters the General Brock with $80,306 in lifetime earnings.

The son of Pegasus Spur-Phar Khan, who has a record of 20-8-7 in 64 lifetime starts, is going into the first leg fresh off a 1-1/2 length score, a performance where the 4-year-old gelding equalled his lifetime mark of 1:55.3.

“Off his last race, where he competed against 4-year-olds, I think he fits well going into the General Brock,” said Mayotte of the bay, who has banked $80,306 in lifetime earnings. “He will be racing against horses his own age. Before last week’s win, he was facing older horses in the conditioned ranks and was competitive.”

Herbie L found his way into Mayotte’s stable after Illinois-based trainer Steve Bauder, who was in Ontario with four horses, decided to return to the Land of Lincoln.

Mayotte, who drove the trotter two times before, gladly accepted when Bauder offered to leave the horse with him for the series.

The horseman has become quite familiar with the trotter.

“He is a good-feeling horse on the track,” said the Mississauga resident. “You have to always watch him closely because he will try to kick the jog cart.”

With two wins and two second-place finishes in eight seasonal starts for owner Melissa LeVan of Woodstock, Ohio, Herbie L will take to the Toronto oval in an attempt to record his third victory as an older trotter.

“He is a very big horse and has a little trouble in the turns but can fly in the straightaways,” said Mayotte. “I think he is a strong closer and if he is within striking distance turning for home, he is capable of getting the job done.”

In the first of three divisions, Herbie L, who is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line, will leave from post seven in the first race, which has a post time of 7:10 p.m.

The C$30,000 second leg, for 4-year-old trotters in 2012, who were non-winners of three races or C$75,000 lifetime as of midnight, Dec. 31, 2011, is slated for Thursday (March 22), with the C$50,000 final scheduled for Monday (April 2).