West Breeze will go down in the history books as the first ever winner at Canada's newest racetrack, West Meadows Raceway in Regina, Saskatchewan

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Trained and driven by Tyler Redwood, the three-year-old son of Westwego-Promised Breeze overcame early interference caused by breaker Springheel Al and David Cameron in the opener on Sunday afternoon before advancing to the lead and sprinting home in :26.4 to win by three and a quarter lengths in 2:07.1. Taj By An Angel and Kirk Rogers followed from the pocket to finish second while Rain Gauge and Richard Remillard rounded out the top three.

West Breeze paid $2.10 to win as the odds-on favourite. West Meadows Raceway's President Jane Grainger owns and bred the gelding, who earned his first career win in five starts.

"We are so pleased with opening day at West Meadows Raceway," said SSHA President Glenn Le Drew.

"Parking lots quickly filled and cars then lined the lane into the racetrack - what a great sight to see," Le Drew explained. "The best night of wagering in Saskatchewan harness racing over the last several years (over a decade) was just over $10,000 at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon. If everything went well we were hoping to get over $10,000... and we bet $15,000. Tremendous success by previous standards and we are really excited about the future here."

Redwood and Remillard each scored a training-driving triple during the track's initial nine-race card. Redwood also won with G Gs Dominator ($5.20) and Bigtime Jackpot ($3.30) while Remillard scored with Red Star Best ($7), Invincible Yankee ($4.20) and Found My Desire ($5.50). Bill Welcher's Red Star Best, a nine-year-old Cambest-Armbro Tomboy gelding, recorded the fastest mile of the day, winning his second race assignment in 2:01.1.

Driven by Glenn LeDrew, Stonebridge Camlot carried his win streak to the new track with a wire-to-wire 2:03.1 score in the featured $2,100 Open Pace. The nine-year-old gelded son of Camluck-Reona Hanover, who was claimed for $3,000 in his last start on August 30 at Yorkton Exhibition by Annabelle Pirie of Strathclair, MB and joined trainer Ken Hanson's stable, held off Outlaw Spider and Donald Tracey by half a length for his sixth consecutive win. Tajwon and Remillard were third. Stonebridge Camlot is now eight-for-12 on the year. He paid $4.80 to win as the favourite.

Sophio Hanover converted from the pocket to win a $4,000 pace for this year's top eight money earning four-year-olds in the province by two lengths over his stablemate Tajerine Dream and Remillard. Kirk Rogers drove the son of The Panderosa-Salsa Beat to the 2:02 triumph for trainer Shawn Worthen and owners Debra McInnes and Samantha Tamblyn of Yorkton, Sask. The favourite paid $4 to win for the sixth time in 20 starts this year.

Also scoring a win on the opening card was Iza Bin Freezin and trainer-driver Edward Tracey.

"It has been a lot of work and we have so many people to thank," said Le Drew. "Firstly, Bill McNally, who made it possible to use his land to build the track on. He agreed to it and then passed away just a few months later. Much of his family was on hand to celebrate the opening; and the first race this year and every year will be the Bill McNally Memorial Pace. Bill was president Jane Grainger's father. Jane and husband Glenn worked hard to get the track and staff ready for opening day and their family also helped out in many ways."

Le Drew also stated that the track was good, but that it will take a couple more race days to tighten up, so those in attendance in the coming weeks could easily see a lower standard before the meet concludes on October 9.

Live harness racing will continue at West Meadows for each of the next three Sunday afternoons. Gates, concessions and beer gardens open at noon with a first-race post time of 1:00 p.m.

For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - West Meadows Raceway.