There’s excitement in the Backstretch at Fraser Downs Race Track as we head into the Fall Race Meet here in Cloverdale. Change is the constant as we keep our eye on the industry and we are anticipating a year that will be full of strategic negotiations for the future of the racing industry here in British Columbia. As we’ve said before, it’s a challenge we are definitely up for.
- Qualifiers are already underway with our first week seeing 19 Race Qualifiers and 119 horses entered. Week 2 September 13 sees 21 Race Qualifiers and 123 horses entered. Our Standardbred Horse Population is expected to be about 300 horses this year to provide competitive fields and wagering for racing enthusiasts. And of special note, we’ve had 86 foals born this year in B.C.; as our breeding program increases its broodmare base and bloodlines for the future.
- At this point, our current race meet goes through until mid-April in 2019 and we anticipate our race days will again be Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
- Fraser Downs Horse Racing Club continues to exude excitement after a successful year with Jan’s Legacy and have been delighted to become part of the fabric of the Backstretch. New friendships have been forged and new owners of Standardbred Race Horses have come into the industry as we remain The Sport of the People. Introducing new fans to the sport of horse racing is essential and we are the ambassadors for our sport and horses.
- Safety for our horsemen and horses has been paramount this year. There have been some improvements to the Track, including grading and drainage to improve the track conditions not only for daily training and racing, but for inclement weather conditions which are the norm during our meet. Repairs continue in the big red barns and we are working with the Track Operator to effect much needed items.
- There will be a lot of new faces in the backstretch in key positions, so stay tuned for the news of who will be joining the various teams that work together to put on racing in the Province of B.C. We’re moving forward with new media initiatives so be sure to tune into the Website and our Facebook Page for these. Of significance is the National Caretakers Appreciation Day scheduled for October 5th, 2018 for race tracks racing in the fall. This Day has been created by Standardbred Canada to recognize and appreciate all the hard work of the grooms behind the scenes, who are an important part of the team that works daily to get the race horses to the track for the public. (see poster below!)
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- We’ve been celebrating our steps forward and have strove to discuss issues candidly, provide sustainable solutions and determine what help we need to move forward. Meetings and education sessions with the membership have increased. Harness Racing BC continues to liaise with the Track Operator, Provincial Government Ministers and key staffers, discussing the rural and urban economic importance of racing, sustainability and needs of our industry for the future. We’re discussing the future with our Thoroughbred sport partners and all are negotiating a course that can prove very exciting for the future of horse racing.
This year will demonstrate more than ever that we are determined to achieve a sustainable season and increased economic business. Recognizing the important value of the jobs we provide throughout the community, the province and the country; and that an expansion of those can happen through an increased healthy and prosperous harness horse racing industry.
As we say, our Standardbred horses really do drive our passion as we negotiate our course for the future – so let’s Harness the Passion!
Carla Robin
Executive Director
HARNESS THE VISION...At Harness Racing BC, we strive to provide quality, exciting races to increase revenue for our industry participants and the government. Harness Racing in Cloverdale contributes substantially to the BC economic sectors more than most sports and entertainment through job creation in a variety of sectors - agriculture, hospitality, tourism and careers directly related to working with the horses in the racing industry
