The people starting coming to Kawartha Downs Saturday afternoon before the 4:30 p.m. qualifiers started and continued unabated for the next few hours, as the Fraserville, Ont. track overflowed with fans happy to see harness racing return for the 42nd year.

“We’re thrilled with the number of people who came out tonight,” said harness racing supervisor Jim Huck. “We had a lot of our regular fans out as well as many new faces which is always good to see.”

The 10-race card got underway at 7 p.m., but the fans were able to see 11 winners as there was a dead-heat in the seventh race which saw Long Life (Gord Brown) and Rhapsodys Star (Dan Gassien) hit the wire first in 1:57.2.

Also on tap tonight, was a donation effort for Bill Davis, a top trainer/driver who started his career at Kawartha Downs. On June 1 Davis, who is now based in B.C., and his main owner J J J Stables, lost their 17 races horses and all their equipment in a devastating barn fire. Efforts this evening raised $3,000, which will be added to the $30,000 raised earlier this week on the west coast.

In total approximately 1,500 were on hand this evening and bet $42,000. Racing returns to Kawartha Downs next Saturday night with a 7 p.m. post time.

(Kawartha Downs)

To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Kawartha Downs.