by Tim Lawson, for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — The virtue of consistency is not easily attained in the world of harness racing.

Week by week, horses are put to the test seeking to improve upon their previous efforts. Like any professional athlete, horses thrive when they get into a rhythm. This, too, is no simple task. Communication between the front and back of the sulky is pivotal. When talent, communication, and tempo all mesh together, they generate a consistency that can seem nearly invincible.

This has been the case of veteran horseman Rick Zeron and his Mohawk Racetrack-based 5-year-old pacing standout, Shamballa.

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Shamballa has won eight of 11 starts this year, with earnings of $108,613.

Since the duo first teamed up in June of 2014, they have made it to the winner’s circle an eye-opening 15 times in 23 starts. With Zeron accounting for 12 of the bay’s lifetime wins, it’s needless to say that the two have settled into quite a groove.

It is accurate to describe Shamballa as a late bloomer, falling under the cliché of “humble beginnings.”

He made his career debut in May of 2013, breaking his maiden after two tries at the Pennsylvania-based The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Following that first career score, the 5-year-old gelding found mild success in the northeast U.S. circuit, making the majority of his starts at Pocono with a few trips to Harrah’s Philadelphia.

His 3-year-old campaign wrapped up after totaling four wins in 11 starts. It was five races into his 4-year-old season when Shamballa was introduced to trainer/driver Zeron.

Shipping north to Mohawk for the first time, the son of Somebeachsomewhere placed third in his Canadian debut. The newly acquainted Zeron returned Shamballa to the track two weeks later, guiding the explosive pacer to a dominating five length win in a career best 1:49.2.

A start on July 14 was a game changer. The two kicked off what would be a four-race winning streak that lasted through the month.

Making his way up through the ranks, Shamballa has been racing at the Preferred level since last October. Since then, he has been simply dominant. The bay has won seven of 13 Preferred races, posting sub-1:50 final times in the majority of those starts.

What makes this star a fan favorite is his racing style. He is the epitome of a closer and has even been referred to as the Zenyatta of harness racing.

This gelding saves his energy for a last minute surge. More times than not, racing fans will see him trailing the field, making it seem nearly impossible to get up in time at the wire.

Time and time again, the betting public holds its breath as the heavily favored closer decides when it’s time to go. To no surprise, his timing is usually precise, nearly perfect, and nail biting to those in attendance. His speed down the stretch is exceptional, as he has continuously posted final quarter fractions of under :26 seconds throughout the summer. It is evident that this exciting pacer has found his rhythm.

This weekend, Shamballa is taking his talents to the next level. Making his career stakes debut, the 5-year-old pacer is aiming towards a bid in the C$685,000 Canadian Pacing Derby final on Sept. 5. He has drawn the rail in Saturday’s second elimination (race seven).

With no stakes starts to his name, the gelding has already racked up 20 career victories, with earnings in excess of $230,000.

Zeron will once again take the reins, as he attempts to become the first trainer to drive his own horse to a Canadian Pacing Derby win since Pat Lachance in 2004 with Casimir Camotion.

“He’s coming into the race really well,” said Zeron, “I’m quite happy with the week he had off and he’s coming into the race just as good as I think he’s going to be. I’m looking forward to letting Shamballa get a chance to race with the best horses in North America. He’s a real nice horse and has worked quite well with the program that I have set up for him. Fans will get to see a lot of Shamballa on Saturday night.”

A son of legendary pacer Somebeachsomewhere, out of a stakes winning mare, Bolero Takara, Zeron shares ownership of Shamballa with Tao Racing LLC of Pompano Beach, Fla.

Here is the field for the Canadian Pacing Derby second elimination:

PP-Horse–Driver-Trainer
1. Shamballa–Rick Zeron–Rick Zeron
2. Mach It So–Corey Callahan–Jeffrey Bamond Jr.
3. Evenin Of Pleasure–Sylvain Filion–Richard Moreau
4. Melmerby Beach–Paul MacDonell–Paul MacDonell
5. Foiled Again–Matt Kakaley–Ron Burke
6. Nirvana Seelster–Doug McNair–Bill Budd
7. JK Endofanera–Brett Miller–Jimmy Takter
8. Limelight Beach–John Campbell–Ron Burke
9. Clear Vision–Andrew McCarthy–Ron Burke