The unofficial kick off to summer, Victoria Day weekend, is the official kick off to the 2024 season of live harness racing at Clinton Raceway.
Since the Clinton Kinsmen first held the extended meet in 1970, racing fans from all over Ontario have gathered to enjoy the down home atmosphere of a Sunday afternoon at the Huron County oval.
With a 15-week season, Clinton Raceway will play host each Sunday through Sept. 1 (excluding Sunday, June 2) to a different fundraising event, with the Day at the Races Program.
"Last season, we saw 15 groups raise just over $55,000 for local charities, clubs and organizations," said Jessica Carnochan, Marketing Manager. "It really is such a community event each Sunday, we are incredibly thankful to our sponsors, loyal fans and new faces for supporting our initiatives."
Accompanying the 10-race card of live harness races this Sunday, May 19, Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) will open the season by hosting a trackside BBQ, 50/50, silent auction and bake sale. CHSS will also have face painting and freezies available for the kids. The Cutting Edge Cowgirls, a precision riding team, will be hosting a meet and greet in the park, as well as doing on track performances at 1 p.m. and following the ninth race. The Super Sunday Show returns for another season of keeping you informed and entertained between the races with great giveaways, prizes and all kinds of fun, including the chance to win tickets to see 5440, Sloan and Owen Riegling at the Clinton Spring Fair.
Additional highlights of this season are the return of Legends Day on Sunday, June 30. This event was inaugurated in the early 2000s and has been held biennially as a fundraiser for various charities, raising more than $300,000 in its 10 events. This season, the benefactor is the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation and will feature Hall of Fame drivers in the $15,000 Legends Day Invitational Trot as well as a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Reunion with meet and greet, silent auction, online 50/50, chicken dinner and more. Clinton Raceway’s richest race, the $60,000 Kin Pace falls in line with the 50th Anniversary of the Ontario Sires Stakes program on Sunday, July 7 and the ever popular Kids Day and Open House follow up the next weekend on July 14. The season closes with the 44th edition of the Charity Driver’s Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 1.
Admission and parking are always free at the family-friendly track. For more event and season details, visit clintonraceway.com.
To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Sunday Entries - Clinton Raceway // Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).
(Clinton Raceway)