This Saturday, February 3, harness racing’s version of the Oscars -- the O’Brien Awards will be presented to our 2017 Canadian Champions at the annual O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala hosted at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale in Mississauga, Ontario.

For those attending, here is the evening’s agenda:

RECEPTION & SILENT AUCTION – COMPLIMENTARY PORTRAITS – LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET

Sign Somebeachsomewhere’s Book of Memories

WELCOME REMARKS & NATIONAL ANTHEMS

DINNER

PRESENTATIONS - MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARDS

PRESENTATIONS

OUTSTANDING GROOM AWARD

O’BRIEN AWARDS

DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF THE MARC JOSEPH BAND

A reminder for those who haven't entered yet: the O’Brien Awards Handicapping Contest closes on Saturday, February 3 at 6:30 p.m.

For those watching from home, here’s what you need to watch and when:

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) To kick off the night we have “Red Carpet” coverage of the reception with our live Red Carpet Host, Kelly Spencer on Standardbred Canada’s website and Facebook page. Kelly will be interviewing some of the finalists and special guests as they arrive on the Red Carpet for the Gala.

9:00 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. (EST) - Watch the 2017 O’Brien winners receive their awards live from the comfort of your own home live via video stream exclusively on standardbredcanada.ca. A link to the video will be available before the awards on Saturday night. The online stream is brought to you in part by Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals ~ Effective Supplements Through Science. The awards presentations are estimated to last for 60 - 75 minutes.

The O'Briens will be hosted by Ken Middleton and Jason Portuondo, with Juno Award nominee Heather Bambrick singing the national anthems.

Standardbred Canada will also provide live updates on the event through its social media channels. For anyone tweeting or adding photos to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, please use the hashtag #obriens17

Standardbred Canada would like to thank all of the Industry Partners and Sponsors for their support of the 2017 O’Brien Awards:

• Woodbine Entertainment Group for the video production, assistance with live streaming and wine sponsorship.

• The Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, sponsors of the Outstanding Groom Award.

• The Central Ontario Standardbred Association, sponsors of the cocktail reception.

• Ontario Racing is a second year sponsor for the Media Excellence Awards.

• Horse Racing Alberta for sponsoring the O’Brien video interviews which you will see on our website for the week following the awards.

• OnTrack Media and Entertainment, an American Teletimer company, sponsor of the complimentary portraits.

• Grand River Raceway, Great Canadian Gaming & The Raceway At Western Fair District for their contributions as Industry Partners.