Live harness racing returns to Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino this Thursday and Friday, ushering in the fall season after the summer break.
The first race gets underway at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 – a Thursday evening. “Thursday’s a new day for us,” says Jackson Wittup, executive director of Harness Racing B.C. “Beginning in November, we go back to our regular Friday and Sunday schedule.”
The Fraser Downs backstretch opens its doors Sept. 14 for Harness Racing B.C.’s fifth annual open house.
Visitors and fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at a live race day at Cloverdale’s historic track. There will be harness shoeing demonstrations, along with barn tours, cart rides, activities for kids, plus a barbecue.
It’s free. Everyone welcome. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 pm.
The backstretch is located at 17740 62 Avenue (Bill Reid Way).
– Cloverdale Reporter
Desert storm
The two exhibition Standardbred races went well in Osoyoos last month. Drivers and horses from Fraser Downs made the trek to Desert Park in the sunny south Okanagan tourist Mecca.
“Who knows if there is any future [in racing at Desert Park], but the day went great,” says Jackson Wittup, executive director of Harness Racing B.C.. “The facility is awesome and we were welcomed by track management.”
The Aug. 16 event featured live thoroughbred, Standardbred and quarter horse racing, sharing one track for the first time in Canadian history and drawing between 1,500 to 2,000 spectators.
– Cloverdale Reporter
Davis Jr. fourth
Contributed
Cloverdale’s Jim Marino struggled in the final standings at the Standardbred Canada National Driving Championship in Charlottetown, PEI.
But the Fraser Downs regular driver made some of the races very interesting.
Ontario driver Jody Jamieson will be wearing the Canadian colours to Australia in February at the world championship. I wish Jody all the best.
Back in April at Fraser Downs, Alberta driver Brandon Campbell took the Western region championship and finished a very respectful third at Charlottetown Driving Park.
After a rough start, former Fraser Downs driver, Billy Davis Jr., came on strong and finished a good fourth place in the national championship. Davis Broke the 20-year-old track record for aged pacing mares when he won, with a $3,000-claimer in 1:53:4.
I would like to thank and congratulate Standardbred Canada, Red Shores Track Track and the Province of PEI for providing my wife and I with an awesome experience.
– Jackson Wittup, executive director, Harness Racing B.C.