The Canadian harness racing community will be recognizing the hard work and dedication of the caretakers in the industry as National Caretaker Appreciation Day (NCAD) events and efforts take place from Monday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 26.

Caretaker Appreciation events are being hosted at the following racetracks:

Monday, September 20 - Red Shores at Summerside Raceway
Tuesday, September 21 – Century Downs Racetrack and Casino
Wednesday, September 22 – Grand River Raceway
Thursday, September 23 – Woodbine Mohawk Park
Saturday, September 25 – Kawartha Downs, and Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park
Sunday, September 26 – Flamboro Downs, Hippodrome 3R, Leamington Raceway and Truro Raceway

This is the fourth year that Standardbred Canada has facilitated events across the country, and the second year that the industry is operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Showing our appreciation for the caretakers keeping our horses healthy and safe while training and racing under unusual circumstances and protocols is important, and many racetracks, industry associations, owners, drivers, trainers and stakeholders are all taking part to make this happen.

Some of the features at this year’s racetrack events include:

• Having caretakers’ names announced in the post parades and winner’s circle.

• Prize packages for caretakers of winning horses

• Complimentary win photos for caretakers

• Refreshments for caretakers

• Draw prizes and more

Here are a few ideas on how owners, trainers and drivers can say ‘thank you” to their caretakers, whether they are racing, working at the farm or training centre:

• Refreshments – drop off donuts or muffins and coffee to the stable.

• Host a Stable BBQ or contribute to a delivered catered lunch.

• Give them a day off with pay or a bonus.

• Give them a thank you card along with a gift card.

• Purchase a win photo for them or one of the horses they care for the next time they win.

If you are posting any photos, etc. for Caretaker Appreciation, please use the hashtags #NCAD21 and #thehorsecomesfirst

If you would like to submit / share any photos or video for our Caretaker Appreciation wrap up, you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

SC would like to thank all the caretakers that were willing to be profiled in our Faces of Racing Series. If you have not read some of the features, the links are below:

• Ashley Lendvoy

• Seth McLeod

• Melanie Gaudreault

• Kenny Ellis

• Elizabeth Tanguay

Two more Faces of Racing profiles will be featured this week.