With more than 4,300 career harness driving victories under his belt, colourful Ed Hensley has returned to Fraser Downs with the hopes of reliving the magic he enjoyed a decade ago

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Hensley, 45, has spent the last several years on the U.S. circuit in California, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York and Pennsylvania. It’s been almost a decade since he was winning races at Fraser on a regular basis.

Racetrack General Manager Chuck Keeling kept in touch with Hensley over the years and constantly reminded him that there was an open invitation to return to the west coast.

“I’m here to have some fun for the winter, visit relatives and renew some old acquaintances with friends,” said Hensley. “It’s quite a thrill to be back.”

He won’t be wasting much time getting into the swing of things. Fraser Downs Director of Racing Jackson Wittup is pleased to have Hensley driving in no fewer than 10 races on Friday night’s 12-race card. “He’ll be a busy guy,” says Wittup, “but we all know he thrives on keeping active.”

Hensley has drives in the first six races Friday, then returns for the eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th. He will be driving a JJJ Stables horse for his longtime associate Rick Mowles in the 11th. Mowles is one of the more active local owners at Fraser Downs with a stable of 20 horses ready to go this season.

In 793 starts in Pennsylvania and New York this season, Hensley has chalked up 90 wins, 84 seconds and 89 third-place finishes.

“It’s a real positive thing to have Ed driving here again,” Keeling says. “He was a popular and effective driver in his previous years at Fraser Downs and I think he adds value to our racing program.”

Both the Friday and Saturday cards this weekend start at 7:30 p.m.

(Fraser Downs)