by Sandra Snyder, for the Ontario Sire Stakes

Campbellville, ON — Ontario’s 2-year-old trotting colts return to Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday (Aug. 8) for the fourth Grassroots stop on their 2013 schedule.

In his first two appearances at the Campbellville oval — in the July 4 Gold Series season opener and the July 15 Grassroots leg — Yoooukilis made early breaks that knocked him out of contention. The addition of trotting hobbles to his equipment bag saw the gelding log a steady qualifier at Mohawk on July 24 and then power to a 2:02 victory at Georgian Downs in the July 30 Grassroots leg, bumping him to tenth spot in the division point race.

The son of Ken Warkentin is the third foal from Jeff Boyd’s broodmare Tymal Francesca, a multiple Grassroots winner during her $102,015 career. Boyd and his brother and co-owner, trainer Rod Boyd, have gifted each of the mare’s foals with names saluting their beloved Boston Red Sox. Yoooukilis, named for Gold Glove-winning first baseman Kevin Youkilis, has already outshone elder half-brothers Papelbon and Pedroia.

Trotting specialist Trevor Ritchie engineered the July 30 victory and he will be back in the race bike behind Yoooukilis on Thursday evening, steering the gelding from post two in the fourth C$12,857 division.

Among the competition are three other colts that have captured a single Grassroots leg. Striking Patrick, currently ranked fifth in the division point standings will start from post one, while Deweykeepumnwhy and Hetties Commander, who are currently tied with Yoooukilis for tenth, will start from posts six and seven, respectively.

Division point leader Pasadena Star will be looking for his third straight Grassroots victory from post six in the ninth race for trainer Bob McIntosh and his partner C S X Stables and driver Randy Waples.

The 2-year-old trotting colts kick off the Thursday evening program at Mohawk Racetrack at 7:25 p.m. and will also compete in races two, three, five, seven, nine and 11.

For complete entries go to this link.