A huge crowd, and a five-win performance by driver Mark Pezzarello, highlighted the last card of the 2013 racing meet at Leamington Raceway on Sunday afternoon.
Supportive horsepeople from across the region competed on the fourth and final program of the 2013 Lakeshore Horse Racing Association meet, at the Leamington Fairgrounds. The total handle for the 11 race card was $41,102, all wagered live on-track.
Pezzarello's performance was especially impressive considering he only drove in eight of the 11 races and guided just one favourite the entire day. His wins came with Lady Is A Pirate ($31.10), Rock N Express ($6.40), Casimir Lightning ($15.20), Miami Mafia ($4.40) and Sealcrest Penny ($8.20)
Organizers were all smiles as fans supported the program in enormous numbers, participating in activities and betting on the races.
The Family Day program included an appearance and winning drive by Jody Jamieson as well as plenty of entertainment for families. The Off Kilter Equine demonstration wowed the crowds, while a petting zoo and meet and greet with the horses kept the kids busy throughout the day. Hall of Famers Dave Wall and Bob McIntosh, Doug McIntosh and Jamieson signed autographs and met with the fans.
“It was important for me to come and be here,” said Jamieson. “The support this area has for harness racing is huge, and whatever small role I can play, I’m very happy to take part and be involved. Whether I’m racing in Pocono the night before, or wherever I am, I know how important it is to come out and try to be a small part.”
For Wall, who met with local racing fans throughout the program, feelings were similar.
“It’s great to see so much support from both the horsepeople and the fans,” said Wall. “They’re all really showing that racing in this region is important and should thrive. There has always been great support for harness racing here and it needs to continue.”
The volunteer spirit, community and local support was clear throughout the program, with entertainment, giveaways and contests all day, and for the entire four-program Leamington meet.
Thank you Will Yamaka for all
Thank you Will Yamaka for all the great comments about Leamington hope to see you next summer I hope
I must say it was a pleasure
I must say it was a pleasure to be there and participate at Leamington these past Sundays. The purse money though negligible in comparison to monies garnered over the past years through slots, it was seeing cheering fans in the grandstand area that brought warmth to ones heart. People, fans, the two dollar bettors, our grassroots, betting over $41,000 on harness racing. My hat is off to all that made these past 4 Sundays happen. People, horsemen working together for a common goal on a shoestring budget and against all odds hopefully setting the standard for all our futures. The good people in the Leamington area have shown that working together we can succeed, we must not lose sight of this. We need to make this our blueprint and build upon this monumental start. It is basic human nature that people want to feel both wanted and welcome. Together we will stand, divided we will fall.
I didnt get to make it, but
I didnt get to make it, but that does not change that I consider this a major success.
Looks like the stuff that I get laughed at for around here, seems to work. Petting zoo, autographs et al... and the handle of $40K is BIGGER than the places that do not offer that in the region. Leamington, looked after yesterday, today and tomorrow here. Everyone got a lil something.
The weather could not have
The weather could not have been better,it was a great day all around.You can not say enough about Jody Jamieson I saw him light up a couple of kids eyes giving his whip,gloves and glasses away 'what a great guy'.Then there was Bob and Doug Mcintosh along with Dave Wall signing autographs to support the races.I I would like to thank the Lakeshore Group and the Leamington Fairboard for giving me a chance to watch live racing the way it should be,at the track.A shout out to my friend Drew Ribble who again had the track in excellent shape.I grew up at the Leamington track as my father Stanley Lewis trained horses there for35 years so keep it going Mark and hope to see you next summer.