The biggest week in Maritime harness racing, Old Home Week, is less than two weeks away. Ten days of power-packed action at Red Shores' Charlottetown Driving Park will get underway on Saturday, August 7.
There will be 16 cards of racing over 10 days. Old Home Week will play host to many key racing events, including the Atlantic Sire Stakes, P.E.I. Trotting Series, Spud Island Classic for Open mares, the Premiers Pace and one of the biggest shows in harness racing, the $75,000 Gold Cup and Saucer on August 16.
Construction of the new barn structure at the CDP is now complete. Therefore, Red Shores' Charlottetown will be able to offer a large amount of ‘on-site’ stabling to the Maritime racing community, unlike any previous Old Home Week
"The success of Old Home Week, from a bottom-line revenue perspective, is significantly aided by having a robust inventory of horses for the race office to card full fields, and competitive race cards," said Tom Clark of the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association. "In order that we are successful in this regard, we need to have the support of our neighbours around the region. Stabling has always been a challenge in years past, and this year we are in a position that with the old barns still standing we can extend an invitation for folks to come join us."
Horsepeople that are interested in on-track stabling for Old Home Week 2014 are asked to call 902-629-6636 before Monday, August 4.
On May 31, the PEIHRIA announced that there will be a 10 per cent increase to all overnight purses for Old Home Week 2014.
Some other Old Home Week enhancements in that announcement were purse increases for the Gold Cup and Saucer, the Premiers Pace, Spud Island Classic and the P.E.I. Trotting Series.
Horsepeople are reminded that this year, Old Home Week event passes are $20 for the 10-day event. Daily admission is $12. Week-long passes are available at Murphy's Pharmacies across P.E.I., Red Shores Racetrack and Casino Gift Shop, Eastlink Centre Box Office and the Old Home Week office.
(With files from Red Shores)