With harness racing set to return to Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in less than a month, the Century Downs Racing Club is gearing up its second season.

The Century Downs Racing Club provides an affordable introduction to racehorse ownership by offering shares in two horses for a nominal fee of $250 with capped liability. The Club is an opportunity to meet and interact with others who share a love and passion for the sport and the horses.

The "racing club" is a model that has proven successful at several tracks across North America. In 2016, Century Downs was the first track in Canada to launch a harness racing club and is looking forward to another season of this unique experience. In its first year, the Century Downs Racing Club received tremendous feedback and had 87 members from all over Canada and even a couple from the U.S.

"In 2016, we definitely saw the ups and downs of racing," Shelley Hastey, Racing Club Co-ordinator and Mutuels Supervisor, told Trot Insider. "One horse, Warrawee Rap, had two seconds and a win, but then was sidelined with a fracture. The other mare, Southwind Luna, was also injured and is headed to a new career as a broodmare.

"We kept Warrawee Rap, who was definitely the stable favourite, showed a lot of speed and still fits conditions. She has had many months to heal and is healthy and happy and training well."

The Racing Club is still in the process of procuring a second horse and trainer for the 2017 season. This year, Hastey said they would like to reach 100 members.

As a licensed owner, members will have access to the backstretch to meet their horses, visit their trainer, root for them on race days, and join in the win pictures or lament a hard-fought loss. For out of town members or those who cannot make it to the track on race days, the Century Downs website provides live streaming and race replays. Updates and photos are also shared on the Club's blog.

The Century Downs race meet runs from March 18 through September 9. Membership applications for the Racing Club close March 17.

To apply or for more information, contact Shelley Hastey at 587-349-7792 or [email protected].

(With files from Century Downs Racing Club)