The second night of racing at the Yorkton Exhibition Association track was a night of wrecks, photo finishes and ceremony

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The first wreck of the night came in the fifth race, right at the start line as Terry Kaufman came out of the seat as Finders Keepers went down behind the starters gate.

Both Kaufman and 'Keepers' remained on the track until the completion of the race while being attended to by track staff, horsemen and medical staff.

Kaufman was placed on a back board and stretcher and then transported to the Sunrise Health Centre in the city. The track announcer would tell the crowds later that night that Kaufman was going to be all right.

Finders Keepers was finally freed from the upset bike, and was able to walk off the track, and appeared to be all right as well.

In the very next race, coming out of the first turn on the half-mile track Allan Brooking came out of the bike behind Always Bizzy. Brooking was attended to by Crestvue Ambulance staff, as Bizzy followed the field until caught by horsemen near the paddock entrance.

Driver Brian Gray who was driving Way Outa Bounds said the incident could have been far worse.

“I looked down and my wheel just missed running over Al Brooking's head,” he said.

While just avoiding a major accident in the race, it was also a big night for Gray going to the winner's circle twice.

In the eighth race Gray picked up a catch drive on Four Starzz Smiley, a drive originally set for Kaufman.

Gray took the Shaun Worthen trained horse down the stretch hard, just nosing out Kneehill Harry in a come-from-behind, photo-finish win.

Gray also took Heart Shaped Box to the win in the race where Kaufman was injured. It was his first race with the horse since purchasing via telephone.

“Once she got rolling she showed she's a good little race horse,” he said of the four-year-old mare.

The top time of the night was a crisp 2.01.1 in the night's seventh race for the Yorkton Exhibition Association cooler. The top time went to Kalahari Riff with Kevin Siever in the bike. He chased down Tyler Redwood behind Bigtime Jackpot on the final stretch for the win.

Siever and 'Riff' are no strangers to the winner's circle in Saskatchewan, posting eight wins, four places and two show finishes in 2008.

“He needed a little tightening up last week, and we changed a few things,” said Siever, who added things seemed to fall into place as he got a two-hole trip leaving him in a good position down the stretch. “... I know he can really come home that last quarter.”

As for the ceremony of the night, a new $325,000 paramutual and concession building was officially opened at the track.

The new $325,000 building was initiated by the Yorkton Exhibition Association (YEA), with funding through a facility's grant of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and a loan guarantee from the City of Yorkton.

Bob Bjornerud, the Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture said the facility was certainly a positive for the industry.

“What a great addition to horse racing here in Yorkton,” he said, at the ceremony held after the second race of the evening, adding the building adds to what has already happened in the city to “create a lot more interest in racing.” He said the dollars spent were “a great investment into your community.”

Yorkton Councillor Larry Pearen spoke on behalf of the City.

“This is an exciting day for Yorkton,” he said, adding he had to thank the YEA, “for their lead on this building.”

Glenn LeDrew, president of the Saskatchewan Standardbred Horsemen's Association, said the new building continues to show the industry is growing once more in the province.

“It's a big part of why horse racing is making such a big comeback here in Saskatchewan,” he said.

The 1,960 square-foot building is part of a continued commitment to bringing events to the city such as standardbred racing, said Penny Sandercock, president of the YEA. She said the Association has long been involved in racing in various forms in the city, having initially laid out the existing track in 1906.

Sandercock said the building could not have moved forward without provincial dollars.

“We are very appreciative of the funding support being provided by the government,” she said, noting that amounted to $145,000.

The YEA received a loan from the City of Yorkton to cover the remainder of the costs of a new building, which is situated on City-owned property. In fact, Sandercock turned the keys to the building over to City officials Friday.

The request for the loan was originally made by the YEA at the March 31, 2008, regular meeting of Yorkton Council. The request was for a loan of $200,000, asking that the City assume the cost of the water and sewer lines at $41,800, and then provide an interest fee loan of $200,000, which includes a contingency fund of $52,000 for possible cost overruns. The money would be paid back by the YEA over a 10-year term. The loan was unanimously approved by Council.

Sandercock said the building was crucial “to allow us to further grow interest in racing.”

To view Friday's results, click here.

(With files from Yorkton)