The local media was out in Calgary for the opening of Century Downs, marking the return of live harness racing to the area for the first time in nearly a decade.

Scott Mitchell, who writes for the Calgary Sun, recalled his earlier days going to the track in Ontario when his father would take him to Kawartha Downs.

"When I walked into Century Downs on Saturday to witness the first standardbred races in the Calgary region since 2006, the memories of why I find horse racing so enjoyable came flooding back," said Mitchell in Saturday's Calgary Sun. "As horses went to the post for the 2 p.m. start, which went off without a hitch in front of a jam-packed casino and wind-blown viewing area just east of CrossIron Mills, every single person you bumped into had a story of why they never thought they’d see this day, what the return of racing means, and how absolutely ecstatic horsemen are to have another option to help them earn a living."

Morgan Modjeski of Metro News also took in the inaugural card at Century, and the enthusiasm was evident from all participants.

“It means everything for us,” horseman Gerry Hudon told Metro News. "We needed another A-venue place in Alberta, and Calgary was always our second venue,” he said. “Now we’re back at it where we can tap back into this market....People miss horse racing."

Shirley McClellan, CEO of Horse Racing Alberta, called the launch a “dream come true” for the province's horse racing industry.

“For our industry, it’s huge,” said McClellan. “Alberta is such a horse-orientated province.”

A strong, enthusiastic crowd turned out for the opening card of harness racing at Canada's newest racetrack on the cold and windy Spring day. The track handled nearly $90,000 on its inaugural card, with another nine-race card slated for Sunday.