The fun and excitement of live harness racing action will return Sunday, Aug. 19 to the Port Elgin Exhibition Grounds in Port Elgin, N.B. as a finale to the annual Exhibition with a post time of 1:00 p.m.
Established in 1896, the picturesque track continued to present race cards until July 17, 1957. The track was an active stop of the popular Blue Berry circuit which also included Amherst, Springhill, New Glasgow and Truro.
The traditional six-race card event features the Rambling Lily Pace, named for one of the top pacing mares in Atlantic Canada, sponsored by Allan Jones and Normand Leger.
This year’s $100.00 “hookup payment” allotted to each entry has been donated in part by the following sponsors, each of whom contributed in memory of a special horse in their lives:
Ronnie Roode and Ernie Laffin, Truro - “Kapone”
Rick, Judy and Luke Armstorong, St. John - “Atom Jac N”
Diane Daniels, Amherst – “Live Steam”
Allan Jones and Normand Leger, Shediac - “Rambling Lily”
Terry Oulton, Port Elgin – “Cyrstals Chip”
John Oulton, Port Elgin – “Pokey Bud”
Penny Wesley, Truro – “Busters Brother”
Dawn & Sefoi Melanson of Ultimate Stables, Lakeburn – “Ultimate Yankee”
Cheryl Geldart , Hampton – “Big League”
Chuck Symes Transportation,Springhill – “Any Bunny”
Trish Daniels, Oxford – “Angus L”
Todd Trites, Fredericton - “Angels Class”
D R Polley Used Cars Ltd., Amherst - “Brookdale Chief”
Frank Balcolm of Amherst also came on board with a “Hook Up” honorium in remembrance of his parents, Frank and Stella Balcolm, who were both avid harness racing enthusiasts.
The winning connections of each race will be presented with a colourful blanket donated by the following:
Scott Daniels, in Memory of Frank Daniels and Gary Daniels
Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission
Rambling Lily Pace
Team Allard
Port Elgin Exhibition
Peter, Debbie and Gregory Francis, in Memory of Darn Good Express
Participants at Port Elgin in previous years have included Joe O'Brien, Tom Etter, Leonard Barrieau, Earle Avery, Claire Sweet, Frank Daniels, Miles Barnett, Paul Breau, Gary Daniels, Boyd Leslie, Doug Polley & family, Carl Isenor, Scott Daniels and Rod Jamieson, who currently holds the track record of 2:01 with Allwin Steady owned by Tony Piers of Shubenacadie, N.S.
For the second-consecutive year members of the Port Elgin Matinee committee will be honoring a New Brunswick horse person for their dedication and participation in the sport through out the years. This year’s honouree is Danny Pellerin of St Charles, N.B. Pellerin's career in harness racing started in 1946 as an owner, trainer and driver campaigning primarily in New Brunswick. During the span of his career Pellerin was the leading driver at Brunswick Downs several times.
The Port Elgin Raceway facility boasts a full canteen, washrooms, free parking on site, 50-50 draw and an open invitation for race goers to visit the stables and meet the horses, as well as talk with the owners, trainers and drivers. Fans can bring a lawn chair or stand trackside to catch the action and cheer on their favourite horse and driver.
Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids aged 6-16. Kids 5 and under can enter for free. A program is included with admission.
To enter a horse or for any information contact (506) 538-2326 or (902) 667-8970.
(With files from Port Elgin)