The full first slate of freshman qualifiers hit Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday morning with 14 splits showcasing some of harness racing’s potential future superstars.

On the pacing side, Warrawee Needy uncorked a wicked :26.3 final quarter to win his qualifier in 1:57.1. Jody Jamieson was in the bike for trainer and co-owner Carl Jamieson, who signed the $20,000 sales slip for the E Dees Cam – Great Memories colt at the 2010 Canadian Yearling Sale. Jamieson now co-owns the brother to speedster Big Bay Point with breeder Dr. Michael Wilson, Tom Kyron and Floyd Marshall.

Counter Pointe emerged as the fastest trotter of the morning by virtue of her 2:00.3 mile for trainer-driver Wayne Henry, who co-owns along with Dan McCann of Parkhill and Jeff Thomson of Chesley. Counter Pointe (Striking Sahbra – Garland Bonita) was a $60,000 Forest City yearling and a full sister to 2008 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final winner Pointe Of Honour.

Not to be outdone, 18 sets of baby races were contested at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Under overcast skies and a track rated ‘good’, Real Babe trotted to a 1:59.3 qualifying effort for the second consecutive week. The regally-bred daughter of Donato Hanover – Housethatruthbuilt was a $100,000 Lexington Selected Yearling, co-owned by trainer-driver Ray Schnittker and partners Real Babe Stable.

Mybrothergeorge made his second qualifier a winning one, pacing to an impressive gate-to-wire 1:56.3 score for driver Brian Sears. Trained by Bruce Saunders and owned by Frank Bellino, this Rockroll Hanover colt – a $110,000 Harrisburg yearling from Armbro Ophelia – is a three-quarter brother to their 2010 U.S. Horse of the Year Rock N Roll Heaven.

Also qualifying in 1:56.3 was Lothlorien’s Time To Roll (Rocknroll Hanover – Kikikatie) for driver Marcus Johansson and trainer Jimmy Takter, who has enjoyed success with the colt’s full brothers Rockin Image and Grams Legacy.

(courtesy Standardbred Canada)