Rideau Goes The Extra Distance
"I remember when I was a kid I mostly went to Kingston Park Raceway which was a five-eighths mile track. The first time I went to Quinte Raceway, which was a half-mile track I couldn't believe just what went on behind the gate and being that close to the horses was a completely different experience."
On today's edition of Trot Radio, Norm Borg and National Capital Region Harness Horsemen Association Director John MacMillan discuss the upcoming added distance racing day - the first in the track's 50-year history - set for Friday, December 30. All races will be carded at a mile and a quarter.
"I think we have to give some credit to the good people at Georgian Downs," notes MacMillan. "Xtreme night has been a staple in Ontario harness racing in recent years, and we looked at the races that they had and the fans really seemed to like the distance races. So the mile and a quarter gives a different dimension to the fans in terms of a handicapping angle."
Before Rideau prepares for its first night of added distance racing, Rideau will hold its Christmas Holidays Drive On For Food on Thursday, December 22.
"We had a request from a local politician, and [he] said due to the economic times the food banks are low on funds and food," said MacMillan. "So they asked if there was anything we could do and the NCRHHA sat down with Rideau Carleton management and came up with this idea to have the drive for food - these six days of racing in late December - all trying to encourage fans to bring either cash or non-perishable food items."
Fans who bring $5 or more worth of food or provide a minimum $5 cash donation on Thursday will receive an autographed hat from Gord Brown or Denis St. Pierre and be entered into a draw for a flat panel TV.
To listen to the full interview with Borg and MacMillan, click the play button below.
Episode 242 – NCRHHA's John MacMillan
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.
Outside U.S. and Canada,
Outside U.S. and Canada, they always go for distance and different distance.
Better show when long distance, and mutuel pays more.
That is the smartest thing
That is the smartest thing I've heard for years. Look at the thoroughbreds, they go distance and people bet everybody is competitive. There is a class for every horse so bettors have statistics to bet on. Easy. We should of woke up years ago. Go John Go