Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will kick off a new era of racing at Connell Park in picturesque Woodstock, N.B. on Saturday, June 3. With the closing of Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John, the harness racing spotlight will shine brightly on Woodstock for 10 race dates this season.
Saturday’s marquee event will be the Dawn Bremner Stakes for three-year-old pacers. There will be two divisions of the Bremner Stakes, with each carrying a purse of $10,700. Post time for the six-dash program is 1 p.m.
Looking at the first division of the Bremner for fillies, it appears that there are multiple definitive win threats. Gosistersoulsister comes off a winning effort in 1:58.1 in last weekend's PEI Colt Stakes at Summerside Raceway for trainer Jamie Smith. Pierre-Luc Roy will pick up the catch-drive aboard the Arthur Blue Chip filly, who will leave from post two. Her stablemate, Singing Ramona, has been consistent this year, while the Myles Heffernan-trained Woodmere Jade is another one to watch.
In the second division for the colts and geldings, Starship Art looks to be the standout after an impressive 1:58.2 win in the PEI Colt Stakes for trainer Earl Watts. Starting from post three, Patrick Shepherd will drive the Arthur Blue Chip gelding, who went unraced as a two-year-old and has two wins and a second in three starts this year.
Saturday’s matinee card will also feature last year’s Horse of the Year at Truro, American Risk, who will have New Brunswick driver Mark Haig in the race bike. Owned by Risky Bizz Group, the George Rennison trainee will leave from post four in the top event for overnight horses. American Risk has been second in his first three starts this season. He will battle Emperor, Windsong Napoleon, Bay Bries and Moonwriter.
Horse Racing New Brunswick will host live harness racing at Connell Park on the following dates: June 3, June 17, June 30, July 7, July 28, Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Sept. 2, Sept. 16 and Sept. 24.
Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to thank its sponsors, volunteers and horsemen and women for supporting the new location at Woodstock. HRNB is extremely excited to bring more thrilling racing to the community of Woodstock.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Woodstock Raceway NB - Saturday Entries || Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT)
(With files from HRNB)