Despite a delayed opening and facing some restrictions, Clinton Raceway held its season opener under sunny skies and welcomed race fans back to the Huron County oval on Sunday, June 1.

The 11-race matinee kicked off at 1:30 p.m., and while the entire facility wasn't finished, fans made the best of it and came out to support the local high school in its trackside fundraiser. Central Huron Secondary School was able to raise just over $5,000 thanks to race sponsors and the generous public supporting the school's afternoon efforts.

"It was really great to get back and welcome fans to the new facility," said Jessica Carnochan, Clinton Raceway's Marketing Manager. "While it's not exactly where we'd like it to be, more things went right than wrong today.

"We want to thank the fans for their understanding and commitment to our small track," continued Carnochan. "It really is going to be worth it when it's all set and ready to go." 

It was a day of favourites on track, headlined by Ontario-sired three-year-olds pacers in five $8,000 divisions of the Prospect Series. Samuel Fillion sat behind a pair of Prospect filly winners as part of a driving hat trick on the day, teaming up with Scott McEneny trainee Chillinonthebeach (pictured above) in the fastest split clocked in 1:58.2 and trainer Murray Brethour's Gooned Again, who broke her maiden in 2:00.3. Chillinonthebeach is now two-for-two at the Clinton oval after winning an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division on the final card of the 2024 meet.

The other filly division was won by last year's Grassroots championship runner-up Stellrmanipulation, with Daryl Thiessen aboard the Joshua McKibbin trainee for the 1:59.4 tour.

Among the colt and gelding winners was Five Star Lou, the reigning Prospect divisional champion, in 1:58.3 with Tyler Moore driving for trainer Shawn Steacy. The other male division was won by Wicked Warrior in a career-best 1:59 clocking for the driving and training team of Dale and MacKenzie Spence.

The first leg of a conditioned Pop-Up pacing series filled the majority of the undercard with $4,000 divisions won by Hogwash, Bring The Fire, Handbagofcheezies, Mr Mach Jimmy and Three Gems.

Race fans put just shy of $83,000 through the mutel windows over the 11 races.

The Clinton Spring Fair rolls into town next weekend with live racing action returning on Sunday, June 15 with a Father's Day card, featuring a fundraiser for Huron Centennial School, the chance to win a Blackstone griddle and a Touch-A-Truck event in the park. Post time 1:30 p.m.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.

(With files from Clinton Raceway)