The cornerstone of harness racing on Canada’s west coast was officially unveiled on January 1, 1976 when Cloverdale Raceway opened its doors to a large gathering of guests and thoroughbred racing enthusiasts anxious to see what standardbred racing was all about
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It was 35 years ago January 1 that a horse by the name of Guy Dominion, owned by Jim Richards and driven by Ray Gemmill, stormed across the finish line to win the first-ever race staged at the Fraser Valley complex. Part of Guy Dominion’s cheering section included nine players from the 1976 NHL Canucks who had each invested $300 as part owners: Gary “Suitcase” Smith, Andre Boudrias, Don Lever, John Gould, Ron Sedlbauer, Gerry O’Flaherty, Dennis Ververgaert, Chris Oddleifson and Gregg Boddy.
The dream to build a standardbred racetrack was that of Jim Keeling, Sr., Keith Waples and Doug Gillespie whom began the construction of Cloverdale Raceway in 1974. It was renamed Fraser Downs Racetrack in 1996 and Surrey City Council approved the addition of slot machines in December, 2003.
Jim Keeling Sr. will forever be remembered as a pioneer of harness racing in B.C. He was inducted into the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2001 and the B.C. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.
On Saturday January 1, and throughout 2011, Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino will be honouring many owners, trainers, drivers and long-time employees. Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino congratulates and pays tribute to thousands of pioneers and visionaries who have dedicated their time, treasure and talent to the industry including but not limited to:
Ray Gemmill, Carl Sibiga, Bill Young, Roy Johnson, Heather & Rick Davies, Shirley Hudon, Dave Smith, Mike Bourgeois, Ray Thompson, Dennis Johnston, Vern Cyra, Roy Wills, Willie Urquhart, Dan Ingram, Grant Hollingsworth, John Zahara, Jim & Bev Mohorich, Leonard Hill, Clarence Gagnon, Dennis Linford, Raeann Gemmill, Joe Hudon, Heather Burke, Sten Ericcson and Larry Clarke.
Florence Armstrong, Gabriela Kenny, Helen Lockyer, Sophia Skobel, Frances Zimmerman, Linda Aquiline, Toni Jones, Heather Tolmazoff, Bonnie Garant, John Gordon, Dan Jukich, Cecile Lees, Terry Salter, Rick Uppal, Wilma Very, Brenda Henning, Carol Hughes, Gordon Phelps, Wendy Hynek, Marilyn Jeffery, Andrea Miles, Ann Elder, Katherine Friesen, Tracy Hawkins and Rita Morency.
The public are invited to join the festivities January 1, 2011 and all year –long as we pay tribute to those fans, trainers, owners, staff, volunteers, officials, pioneers, media, and friends who all have made an impact on the first 35 years of Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino.
(Fraser Downs)
I don't know who wrote this
I don't know who wrote this article?
I've been an owner or trainer for the past 35 years and have trophies in almost every catagory, talked to David Wolley a week ago and told him I would get involed but after reading this it leaves a sour taste for all the years being involved.
Thank you
Jerry Blanchet
[email protected]