Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will lift the curtain on the much anticipated return of harness racing for the 2022 season on Saturday, May 14. 

This is an exciting year for the self-sustained industry in New Brunswick and the second annual N.B. Breeders Stakes for three-year-olds take center stage on Opening Day.  Established by HRNB, the second annual stakes race will run in two divisions on Saturday, offering up total purse money of $10,400. 

Brumby, one of last year's two-year-old winners is back to defend his N.B. Breeders Stakes title after making his season's debut last week at Red Shores in P.E.I. Bred by Belinda Gray of Maxwell, N.B. and owned by Five Guys Horses N Lies Stable, the Pang Shui gelding was razor sharp in his tune-up for this week, winning in 1:59.1 and setting a new personal best. Mark Bradley is listed to drive for trainer Jamie Smith.

Among the trio of starters in the $4,900 event, driver Mike Downey and trainer Ellen Stevenson will send out Big Time Brawler, who was out for a qualifying trip last week, looking sharp pacing in 2:03.2. 

In the second division, with $5,500 up for grabs, there are five fillies that will go head to head. Another winner from last season will look to hold onto her crown as Mermaid Magic and driver Mark Bradley have been listed as the top choice.  Bred by New Brunswick's Dr. Mitchell Downey, the Big Jim filly was ultra impressive last week in her return to the races with a runner-up effort, pacing her mile in 1:58.4. Tom Weatherbie trains the filly while David Kennedy and Ian Smith share ownership. 

Her toughest test should come from New Brunswick-owned KCs Starlite. Owned by the team of Donald Bishop, Bruce MacDonald and trainer Charles Miles, she flashed some solid speed as a freshman and earned a record of 2:00.4. Stephen Trites is listed to drive.

Saturday's 1 p.m. card will feature a total of five dashes. The final race of the afternoon will see three newcomers to Exhibition Park in the $2,500 top class for pacers. 

Jean Charles Belliveau and Jean R. Belliveau will debut their new pacer Frontier Cruise in the afternoon's fifth race. He's a five-year-old son of Sunshine Beach who comes from the racing scene in Ontario and sports a lifetime mark of 1:52.3 taken over Woodbine Mohawk Park. A 10-time winner from 50 starts, Frontier Cruise has been claimed four times in his career, for an average price of nearly $19,000. Frontier Cruise will bust the gate from post three for driver John Davidson. 

Another newcomer to the Maritimes is Thats Some Plan, a Somebeachsomewhere gelding with some impressive lines in his career as well. Owned and trained by Bob MacNeil of Saint John, N.B., the well-travelled pacer at 11 years old saw his most recent action under the guidance of Mike Stevenson in Maine. He had one win in Maine in 1:59.4 and sports a lifetime mark of 1:52 over Scioto Downs. Stephen Trites will be in the bike on Saturday.

G A Speed Sammy will ship in for the afternoon for trainer Colin Johnson and owner Debbie Element. He has been a solid performer for his connections and scored a nice win last season in 1:53.4 over Red Shores. Mark Bradley gets the call to drive.

Other starters in the top class are Montrose Hope, Joes Beauty and Father Ofthe Year.

Earlier, HRNB announced a significant jump in purse money and the lowest purse on Saturday will be $1,800. 

Admission and parking are free. Wagering is available live on location in Saint John and also at teletheatre locations in Moncton and Fredericton. As always, wagering is also available through HPIbet.

To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Exhibition Park Raceway.

(With files from HRNB)