Just weeks away from summer and the hotter temperatures, many racing fans are warming up to the idea of a return of harness racing, this Thursday night, to Mohawk Racetrack
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For the last seven months, standardbred racing was conducted at Woodbine Racetrack (Monday night is the final program), but the scene is shifting west to the Campbellville, Ont. track, and many in the racing community are looking forward to it.
"The people are so close to the horses," driver Luc Ouellette said. "That's one of the things I love best about Mohawk. Mohawk has to been the most crowd-friendly track that I have ever been at."
Racing will be conducted Thursday through Saturday nights, plus Monday and Tuesday nights, until September 29. First-race post time is 7:10 p.m.
One of the highlights of the meet comes early during a rare Sunday card. Mohawk's annual Fireworks and Family Fun Night celebration is set for this Sunday, May 20. A special first-race post time is set for 6:30 p.m.
"The biggest thing for me is the crowd and the atmosphere," driver Randy Waples said. "When you see all the people out on a Saturday race-card, let alone the big nights, shows that we have a terrific product that people enjoy."
The $1.5-million Pepsi North America Cup, North America's richest pacing event, is set for Saturday, June 16.
The signature event is something that racing fans and WEG drivers look forward to every year.
"It would be like playing in the Stanley Cup finals in front of a crowd of 10 or 25,000, Waples said. "Any driver will tell you that it's an exciting night to be a part of, and we always enjoy putting on a show for the fans."
Other major race dates this summer include the Maple Leaf Trot on Saturday, July 21; the Metro Pace and Canadian Pacing Derby on Saturday, September 1, and the Canadian Trotting Classic on Saturday, September 15.
"It's going to be a great meet," Ouellette said. "There are going to be some wonderful races this summer. If you're not excited about the Mohawk meet, than maybe you don't belong in harness racing."
From a handicapping perspective, Waples believes his driving tactics will change once Mohawk begins.
"It's a more forgiving track," he said. "You can race from behind there better and don't have to be near the front like Woodbine. As a driver, we enjoy seeing the fans and we always enjoy hearing them cheer as we're racing to the wire and that's definitely Mohawk."
Thursday's first card will feature 11 dashes.
As always on Mondays, the popular two-hour show Bet Night Live will continue on The Score Television Network from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The show is built around a four-race online wagering contest.
(WEG)