The first Saturday in May typically signifies the Kentucky Derby, but that date also signals opening weekend cards for many harness tracks
. In addition to the regular Saturday cards at Alberta Downs, Charlottetown Driving Park, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Sudbury Downs and Woodbine Racetrack, four other Canadian racetracks will host live harness racing on Saturday.
Hanover Raceway’s 2011 racing season will get underway on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. and the first 350 patrons who buy programs will receive a free hat. Hanover will host Ladies Night next weekend in honour of Mother's Day with prizes donated by Dolce Vita and the Flower Shop, followed a bicycle giveaway for children on May 21. Fans who attend the races in May will also have a chance to win a $3,000 vacation from Hanover Travel.
Saturday is the unofficial kick off to the summer racing season at Kawartha Downs.
Hot Country Night will feature live music by local recording artist Alyssa Morrissey, free programs to the first 100 entering the track, the kids zone and prizes for the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl.
One lucky fan will take home the grand prize of the night, which is a pair of weekend passes to the CMT Music Festival in Barrie featuring Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Sara Evans and many more. On track, three divisions of the first leg of the Friendship Pacing Series will take place featuring some talented aged pacers.
Hiawatha Horse Park picked up its 2011 season on Thursday and will host its first Saturday program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Sarnia, Ont. oval will host its first Loonie/Twoonie promotion night, which will be featured on the first Saturday of the month thereafter until the final one in October.
Rideau Carleton Raceway will host a special Saturday card for Kentucky Derby Day, with first race post time scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Ottawa area racetrack.
Harness racing fans can watch and wager on all of the above cards with the exception of Hiawatha through HorsePlayer Interactive.