A bitterly cold and blustery day didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of droves of racing fans and new people checking out the Grand Opening Day of harness racing at Century Downs Racetrack in Calgary on April 25.

Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt, the Fan Club’s newest Face of Racing, along with Gerry Hudon and Travis Cullen greeted new customers and long time fans at the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club booth at Canada’s newest racing facility. The horsemen kibitzed with fans, autographed photos and posed for photos.

Following the opening ceremonies featuring local Country Artist Shannon Smith singing O’Canada, a winner’s circle entourage of horsepeople, industry partners, and Premier Jim Prentice, the first harness race to be held in Calgary in over nine years went postward.

Favourite Waitin Ona River and driver Rod Hennessy, who also trains and owns the three-year-old Alberta bred son of JK Royal Flush, earned their spot in the history books as the first winners at Century Downs, stopping the teletimer in 1:59.4. It was also Waitin Ona River’s first lifetime win in nine starts in the $5,300 event for maidens five and younger.

The Calgary Stampeders cheerleaders were on hand to welcome and congratulate the connections of the day’s winning horses trackside and in the winner’s circle. Food trucks and caterers set up in tents provided a variety of scrumptious food options, while a beer garden was set up at one end of the tarmac. Fans seated in the trackside bleachers enjoyed great sightlines for the afternoon’s racing action and festivities.

SC's Kathy Wade was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the participants and buzz surrounding the Century opening, and posted a blog entry regarding her experience.

Kevin Clyde of Calgary, AB and Mike Grover of Edmonton, AB each won a $50 win bet courtesy of the Fan Club. Unfortunately neither Kevin or Mike were able to parlay their win tickets into winners.

Fan Club Century Downs Handicapping Contest Winner

Thanks to everyone who played the Handicapping contest for Century Downs’ opening day of harness racing. Congratulations to Andy Arsenault of Calgary, Alberta who scored 14 out of a possible 20 points.

Andy works full time as an operations supervisor for Royal Building Products and also dabbles in racing as a part time trainer and a part time driver. His parents were involved in racing and he’s been driving horses since 1988. He happened to be at Century Downs over the opening weekend and a horse he co-owns with Ken Sonier, Outlawsecretweapon won his qualifier last Sunday.

Andy wins a $50 gift card to the Canadian Racetrack of his choice (Century Downs) and a win photo of Rod Hennessy driving Waitin On A River to victory in the first ever harness race at Century Downs. Congratulations Andy!

Handicapping Challenge Winning Answers:

Select the winner of the first race at Century Downs (3 points): That honour went to Rod Hennessy and Waitin On A River

Select the race that will have the fastest official finish time on the day. (3 points): The fastest mile of the day was race 9, a fillies and mares open event won by Feelin Flush in a time of 1:56.3.

Select the leading money-winning driver for the day’s races (3 points): Phil Giesbrecht who scored a triple on the day along with a second place finish and a third place finish, drove horses who earned $10,175 on the day’s program.

Select the leading money-winning trainer for the day’s races (3 points):

Travis Cullen trained horses who won $10,601 on the day’s program to lead all trainers.

Select the post position that will return the highest amount of purse money on the day. (3 points): The rail (#1) was the post position that resulted in the most purse money earned on the day’s card - $11,598.

Select the race that will have the greatest margin of victory from the day’s races. (3 points):Race 2 – Jack Of Diamonds and Brandon Campbell cruised to a three and three quarter length victory.

Estimate the day’s handle. (2 points): We awarded 2 points for anyone who estimated a handle between $78,000 - $98,000. The day’s handle was $88,496.