Top Drivers To Descend On Picturesque Track

Many people refer to Mohawk Racetrack as the most picturesque raceway in Canada. The facility is undoubtedly a fantastic place to watch a harness race. What many Canadians may not be aware of is that another extremely picturesque spot, this one on Newfoundland, is also a treat to the eye

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The racetrack in question is the St. Johns Racing and Entertainment Centre, located in Goulds and dubbed 'the track with the view.' Linda Henry of Standardbred Canada's Field Services Department was recently out east at the track for appeals. She was very impressed with what she saw.

Henry, who has been going to the Goulds facility for the last four years to deal with appeals, told Trot Insider that the track has been getting some special attention from the Whelan family since they took over ownership of the facility a few years ago. Upon her arrival back to SC's Mississauga head office, Henry spoke of the improvements that she has seen in the raceway.

"The first year, the track was not owned by the Whelans and company at this time and to be quite honest it was sad," Henry explained. "The barns were in rough shape, the grandstand was a mess and the track had seen better days. Over the years I have seen the barns upgraded and the paddock now looks like a paddock. The track looks great and the grandstand is absolutely beautiful, as is the view from it."

According to Henry, Brett Whelan has done the lion's share of the improvements -- a lot of which has come by his own hand. Jim, his father, is also regularly at the track helping out. Henry said that she has seen the duo painting barns and fences, hanging speakers, fixing the PA system, dragging the track, washing stalls down, picking up garbage and just about any other job at the track that needs done -- and that there are a lot of jobs that need to be done. She said that the track has been getting better every year and that more events are planned. Henry hopes the track will get a firm hold of the people and get a much-needed fan base.

"The horsemen are the best," Henry explained. "These people are not racing to pay their bills, but because they love the horses and they love racing. Purses range from $340 to $640, so no one is going to get rich racing there. They love racing and really that’s how it should be."

She said that Rod Forward, who is head of the horsemen’s group, is a very big supporter of racing. "He owns and races horses. He works with track management to try and get new fans. He operates the canteen at the racetrack and he is now trying to get the racing channels onto the televisions in his family’s restaurants, which are known as 'The Big R' (one in St. John’s and one in Goulds)." Win pictures from the Forward family adorn the restaurant walls. A poster of Rod Forward's brother, Brad, graces one of the eatery's wall. The poster prominently shows the reinsman and the colours he wore in Norway during the last installment of the World Driving Championship.

One of the promotional events the track is rolling out is set to go this weekend, as the third annual Canadian Drivers Showcase will be taking place this Sunday (July 11). The Showcase offers Newfoundland & Labrador the chance to promote the sport of harness racing within the province and to showcase the driving talents of some of the best harness racing drivers in the country.

Some of Canada's top-tier pilots will be going all out over the oval on Sunday, as Simon Allard, Scott Coulter, Brad Forward, Phil Hudon, Jody Jamieson, Mark MacDonald, Doug McNair and Todd Trites will be battling it out during the 11-race card, which will get underway with a 2:00 p.m. first-race post time. Announcer Peter Kyte will also be making the trip out east to call the action.

"Those in attendance not only get to watch Canada's talent race, but also get a chance meet the drivers, take pictures and collect autographs," showcase organizer Scott Forward told Trot Insider in early June.

"There will be many more activities such as face painting, pony rides and this year we also have Thomas Amusements joining us. We will also have souvenir t-shirts and sweatshirts on hand for those who would like to purchase them and giveaways from not only our racetrack but many tracks throughout Ontario."

In terms of the on-track action, the card's highlight will be the Meridian Farms Pace, which has been programmed as Race 9. "We would like to say a very big thank you to Bill Andrew and Meridian Farms for their generous contribution and continued support," Scott Forward told Trot Insider in early June. The Meridian Farms Pace will be going for an attractive purse of $5,000.

To view the entries, click here.

For more information on the St. John's Racing and Entertainment Centre, click here.

To view a wide assortment of photos from the St. John's Racing and Entertainment Centre, click here.

In looking ahead to Sunday's Canadian Drivers Showcase, Norm Borg of Trot Radio got in touch with St. John's Racing and Entertainment Centre General Manager Brett Whelan, who took the time to discuss the track and the upcoming event.

Episode 132 - Canadian Drivers Showcase - Brett Whelan

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg