There was a wave of blue and gold at St. John's Racing and Entertainment Centre on Sunday, July 10 as the McDonald, Fleming, Forward and Rice families gathered both from home and from Ontario to remember their forefathers and founders of Avalon Raceway

.

Highlights of the day included a new Trotting record (2:05:3) taken by Gary McDonald on Abs Yankee Rail (Owner Denise Walsh, Trainer Kevin McDonald) and a first lifetime win by Matthew McDonald on PH Tornado (Owner Cliff Garland, Trainer Colin Sheppard) in Jim McDonald's memorial pace (Grandfather, founder and long time owner, trainer and driver at the Avalon Raceway). They were joined by Jim McDonald's son Gordon McDonald, founder and President of the National Capital Harness Horse Association who picked up a 2nd, 3rd and 5th for the day on horses provided by the Forward family.

A special thank you to the owners, trainers, drivers and grooms who provided the horses for the day's races. Thanks as well to Jim Whelan, track owner, as well as management, staff and photographers who brought us through a memorable afternoon of harness racing.

(Photo of the win by Matthew McDonald together with members of the founding families in the winners circle.)