Keith Clark - the most successful harness horseman in Alberta history - leaves the province on Monday for Fraser Downs. But he will return to race in Alberta this year
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The leading trainer/driver at Northlands Park during the short winter meet - which ends Saturday - will have a 24 horse stable at Vancouver's Fraser Downs next week. Without an 'A' track meet in the province this spring, Clark made an understandable choice. But he will move from Fraser Downs in June to Grande Prairie, which will be home to a 46-day meet starting June 12. "I got to be there - the whole meet," said Clark. "(I) could have 35 (horses) there."
According to ASHA, there will be $3.5 million in purses in Grande Prairie, with $1 million in stake races. With horses like Wrangler Hitech in his barn, Clark could make significant cash in the northern Alberta city this summer and fall. An Alberta-bred three-year-old, Wrangler Hitech (son of As Promised) has won five straight races. With a 1:54.2 mile on his card from this month, he's a major threat for summer stakes.
According to the latest ASHA stakes calendar, Wrangler Hitech is eligible to race for $325,000 in stake purses in Grande Prairie.
FINISH LINES: Entering this week, Clark had 30 driving/training wins (111 starts) at Northlands through 22 cards this winter. In his career, Clark has 5,561 driving victories and 3,266 training wins.
(HRA)