Friday afternoon’s Canada Day card of racing at Dresden Raceway will feature something special for fans in Race 9, as five riders will mount up and take part in a Racing Under Saddle race.

Racing Under Saddle racing features Standardbreds that race with a rider, as they do in Thoroughbred racing.

Friday’s five-horse field features riders from across the world and will feature pari-mutuel wagering.

Marit Valstad hails from Tondheim, Norway and has been racing under saddle since she was 18. Valstad, who has worked with Standardbreds her whole life, will be aboard Callie Magoo from Post 1.

The Post 2 starter will be Precious Phoebe, who will be ridden by Sarah Town. Town has been riding since age six and calls Owen Sound, Ont. home.

Celebrity Legacy will be guided be Alex Marion. Marion is from France and has been working with horses for most of his life.

Brittany Kennedy is the trainer and rider of Post 4 starter E L Rock. Kennedy is from McGregor, Ont. and does double duty as a registered massage therapist and horse trainer.

Chatham’s Evelyn Harms will ride the Post 5 starter, Southwind Alice. Harms works for harness trainer Bill Kirkpatrick.

Southwind Alice and Harms are the 7-5 morning line favourite. Kennedy and E L Rock have been listed as the 5-2 second early favourite.

The Canada Day card of racing will feature a giant eight-foot cake decorated as a Canadian flag, as well is many giveaways and contests.

Ontario Sires Stakes races have also been programmed on the Saturday card.

The program of live racing will kick off with a first-race post time of 1:30 p.m.

To view the harness racing entries for Friday at Dresden, click the following link: Friday Entries – Dresden Raceway.

(Dresden Raceway)