Six years ago this weekend, Quebec star Wayne LA was among the starters in a North America Cup elimination at Woodbine Racetrack

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This Saturday afternoon, the nine-year-old son of Yankee Cam will be lining up in a $900 pace at the Bedford fairgrounds as Quebec’s regional racing circuit kicks off its 2011 season.

“He’s not the horse he was,” trainer Eric Gnocchini said, “but for a nine-year-old, he’s in wonderful shape and has a lot of life.”

Wayne LA, who set a new standard for Quebec-breds with a mile in 1:51.4 in Montreal as a two-year-old and earned just shy of $300,000, isn’t racing for the money. Owner Marc-Aime Guerin lives nearby and is a member of the jockey club that oversees the Bedford track. ”The owner does it for fun,” Gnocchini said.

Gnocchini used to train for Guerin’s daughter Lorraine Auger, but her once-sprawling Ferme LA no longer exists. From 100 horses, it reduced to 15, which were subsequently transferred to Guerin’s farm La Gueriniere Inc.

‘It’s sad,” said Gnocchini, “but there aren’t many places to race them anymore. Rideau and Quebec City are about a three-hour drive for us. Bedford’s 10 minutes away.”

Quebec's Regional Circuit of Horse Racing (CRCCQ) will be presenting a 10-dash program of racing Saturday, June 11 at Bedford Fairgrounds. A total of $12,100 in purses will be offered. Fans of live harness racing will once again have the pleasure of playing the favourites as pari-mutuel wagering will be available on-track. First race post time is 1:00 p.m.

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)