Racing Secretary Jan Adams celebrates each card of racing with a lollipop, as every week just seems to get better for racing at the Leamingron Raceway oval. With the numbers up for the current season, hope continues to rise that southwestern Ontario will carve out a spot with the alliance tracks in the province.
"Our president, Mark Williams, reported on CKLW radio today that our on-track handle was up in the area of 35 per cent over last year," Adams said following another big day, which saw over $26,000 pushed through the betting windows. "We certainly are on the same level as Clinton, Hanover, Sarnia, and Dresden."
Adams stated that it certainly is rewarding when the horsepeople all come together to provide full fields, and she can then card competitive fields to give the fans bang for their buck.
On the track Sunday, Oldfriendskentucky ($14.30) certainly provided big bang as he took over the lead at the half in the meet's featured $6,500 Terry McDonnell Pace and went on to win in 1:58.3 for driver Tyler Borth and trainer Stephen Roberts, who co-owns with his daughter Laura, of Melbourne, Ont.
The driving championship was won by Mark MacQuarrie with 18 wins, while Gord McDonnell won the trainers title with 12 wins in the 13-week season.
Leamington Raceway would like to pass along special thanks to all those employees and volunteers who helped in making this a most successful season.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(With files from Leamington Raceway)