An ex-Toronto Blue Jay was in the house at Clinton Raceway during Kin Pace Day on Sunday (July 7). He didn’t just sit there and look pretty, either – he hopped in a jogger and saw what it was like to be up behind an equine athlete.
Following the Clinton Mustangs fundraiser Sunday at the track, former MLB all-star, relief pitcher and Toronto Blue Jay Jason Grilli was treated to a lap of the track.
Grilli was all smiles when he jumped into a double-seated jog cart with Randy Henry for a trip around the track with the Pat Bissett-trained Riddle Me Miss.
"What an experience jogging that horse was, something I never thought I'd do, almost a Field-of-Dreams-like moment," Grilli told Clinton Raceway’s publicity arm. "Everyone at both Clinton Raceway, and with the Clinton Mustangs organization have been so great, it's been an awesome time here."
Grilli is currently in town for the Clinton Minor Baseball Camp, which is hosting 155 up and coming baseball stars. The camp has taken place at the diamonds located within Clinton’s infield for the past six years. The event annually ties into the live racing card that takes place the Sunday prior, and has seen such former stars as Jesse Barfield and Kelly Gruber attend.
This past Sunday, Clinton Minor Baseball was able to raise over $12,000 through the trackside BBQ, where the aptly served 'grilled cheese,' 50/50, bake sale, raffle, silent auction and race sponsors also helped contribute to the total. The funds that were raised will be earmarked for coaching clinics and equipment in order to help keep registration costs down.
Clinton Raceway’s 2019 live season will continue this Sunday and the track is set to host BCH Minor Hockey for its trackside fundraiser.
First-race post time will be at 1:30 p.m.
Full season event details can be found at clintonraceway.com.
Jason Grilli (arm raised), pictured going a trip with Randy Henry and Riddle Me Miss at Clinton Raceway on Sunday, July 7, 2019.
(With files from Clinton Raceway)