In spite of heavy rains which turned the Yorkton Exhibition track to mud, the standardbreds were back and racing Saturday as the first series of qualifying races for this year’s race season were held
.
A total of 79 horses were scheduled to pace the mile, in a total of 16 races, explained Yorkton Exhibition Association manager Shaun Morin. Morin said in terms of horses, every stall on the grounds is in use.
“We’ve had stall applications for 130 horses,” said Morin, adding that is up about 50 from last year. “...It’s the most we’ve ever had.”
Morin said it shows standardbred racing is growing in the province.
“Saskatchewan is as stable a province as there is for harness racing right now,” he said. “The Manitoba fair circuit is struggling, and Alberta has a number of big issues. It’s not as big money here, but it’s stable.”
The numbers have grown so much the old metal clad ‘swine’ barn has been brought back into use with box stalls installed to accommodate horses.
“There are a lot of Manitoba guys here,” said Morin, adding there are some issues in Alberta, which have a few more horses from there in Yorkton too.
Locally interest is also growing, which is pushing numbers up.
“A lot of local guys have bought horses, and bought good horses,” said Morin. “It’s going to be a tough year on the track.”
The quality of horses is such that Morin said he expects to schedule two open races this year, where last season he struggled to have the higher calibre horses for one. This summer he said a fillies and mares open is even likely.
“A lot of these horses raced in Edmonton all winter, so there’s a real tough bunch of horses here,” he said.
With the horse numbers up, Morin is expecting to schedule nine races for opening night this Friday. Morin said with new horses, new trainers and new drivers, it should be a fun year for harness racing fans and those who wager.
“With new horses the bettors have never seen it should make it exciting,” he said.
Beyond the horses, there is other work around the track taking place. A new portable building, with a steel roof is being installed for the steak barbeques, replacing tents used the last couple of years. And, the grandstand is undergoing a major upgrade after wind caused damage to the facility.
When the wind tore tin away, it exposed a lot of rotting wood, and now both the wood and tin are being replaced, said Morin. “The structure itself is sound, it’s the rotted wood underneath that’s the issue,” he said.
The work is being carried out in sections, meaning parts of the grandstand will be out-of-service for several weeks. Morin said they are bringing in extra bleachers to help offset the seating issue.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Calvin Daniels)