Pilots Dave Hudon and Jim Marino have secured their spots on British Columbia's 2011 Western Regional Driving Championship roster, but there is a tight race to see which reinsman will be filling out the squad
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The three-person BC driver team will be determined by the top end of Fraser Downs' Leading Driver Standings at the end of racing on January 23, 2011.
Hudon and Marino are currently at the top of the list, but there is a log-jam for the third position. Michael Hennessy, Dave McKellar, Serge Masse, Scott Knight and Tim Brown are all still in the running heading into this weekend of racing at the Surrey oval, which will be hosting cards of racing on Friday night as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Ed Hensley has been the leading driver and trainer at Fraser Downs all season long, but, because he was born in the United States, he is not eligible to represent Canada in the National Driving Championship. Also, while Keith Clark is among the leading drivers at Fraser Downs, he will be representing Alberta along with Gerry Hudon and Brandon Campbell. Dallas McGee will be representing Manitoba, while Glenn LeDrew will be representing Saskatchewan.
The top two drivers from three regional championships and two representatives from Quebec will make up the field of eight finalists for the 2011 National Driving Championship at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park in Prince Edward Island on Saturday, May 7. Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino hosted the 2009 Nationals.
The winner of the National Driving Championship will represent Canada at the 25th World Driving Championship, which will be hosted by the U.S. Trotting Association. The 20-heat tournament, which will feature drivers from 10 countries, will be held at New York area racetracks July 31-August 5, 2011.
Fraser's Next Guaranteed Win-4 Is $15,000
Another popular Guaranteed Win-4 pool will be presented by BCLC at Fraser Downs on Sunday, January 30, and this time it will be increased to $15,000 from the previous two $10,000 pools. The $25,000 final of the Mr. Vancouver Stakes for four-year-old horses and geldings will also be a featured attraction on January 30.
(With files from Fraser Downs)
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