Hanover Raceway is set to open its 2023 harness racing meet this weekend, with 10 races drawn for the season opener on Saturday, June 3.
Saturday will mark the first of 15 race dates scheduled at the Hanover, Ont. half-miler this season. Post time for the afternoon program is 1:30 p.m.
After earning his first training title at the track in 2022, local horseman John Kennedy will set out for his title defense by sending out a handful of Saturday starters, including a pair of three-year-old Sportswriter colts in the featured ninth race.
Bryant Seelster is the 8-5 morning line favourite with the pylon post in the afternoon's $5,000 top conditioned pace after knocking at the door with eight top-three finishes from a dozen starts at The Raceway at Western Fair District to start his campaign. Tyler Moore will drive Bryant Seelster as the sophomore colt aims for his second career win. Meanwhile, his stablemate, St Lads Mischief, a two-time winner this month including a victory at Clinton Raceway last weekend, will leave from post five in the six-horse field with Travis Henry in the bike.
Hanover's reigning driving champion Jason Ryan doesn't have a mount in the feature, but will have plenty of opportunities to start on his title defense as he is listed to drive in eight races on opening day.
Hanover will offer a "Welcome Back To The Races" promo for fans on Saturday with a draw for a 55" JVC 4K HD television. Guests can pick up a ballot for the giveaway by the program booth. The draw will be held after the seventh race and the winner must be present to accept their prize, which will be awarded immediately following the day's card.
The National Anthem will be played by members of the Walkerton District Community School concert band under the leadership of Adriene Mackenzie.
Hanover Raceway will also host members of the Paisley 4H Horse Club for a tour of the facility.
The 2023 season will feature the return of the track's signature races with the Dream Of Glory Trot headlining a special 5:30 p.m. card followed by fireworks on Saturday, Aug. 5 and the Balanced Image Trot to be contested on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Hanover Raceway will also host multiple legs of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots and Prospect Series throughout the meet.
Other special events include Youth Day on July 1 with the Grey Bruce Singers performing the National Anthem and Harness The Hope on July 15 with two races dedicated to women drivers.
General Manager Scott Price told Trot Insider that Hanover Raceway will also celebrate the career of O'Brien Award-winning driver Doug McNair with a to-be-determined race day named in his honour this season.
Live harness racing will continue on Saturdays through Sept. 16, with the exception of Aug. 12 when the Hanover Fair will take place.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Hanover Raceway - Saturday Entries || Saturday Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).