Harness racing in Alberta was ready to return with a nine-race card at The Track on 2 preceded by a qualifying session on Sunday (June 14). However, after nearly half the card completed, racing had to be abandoned.
Following an eight-race qualifying session over a good track, rains downgraded the course to “sloppy” for the meeting’s opener -- a Fillies and Mares Conditioned Claiming Pace for a purse of $2,400.
Harness racing returns to Alberta on Sunday, June 14 as The Track on 2 hosts the first card of 2020 since the industry paused due to COVID-19.
Island Hawk left the gate as the co-favourite at 2-1, but ducked to the back of the field of six. Ask For Me cleared command from post 4 while Triple Action, sent a co-favourite, sat the pocket through fractions of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:34. Shes All Mine mounted a first-over charge heading to the half and drew within a length of the lead rounding the final turn but faltered curving into the stretch. Triple Action angled from the pocket and dashed past Ask For Me, opening two lengths in progress to a 2:07 victory.
Triple Action, a nine-year-old mare by Brandons Cowboy, is trained by Lance Ward for owner Joe Ratchford. Jamie Gray drove the $6.60 winner.
David Kelly started to have a good afternoon towards the tail of the card, scoring a natural hat trick in the final races contested. He steered his trainees Make Some Waves ($7.00) and Silent Rescue ($3.50) to victories (the latter winning by 20 lengths), while—between those two wins -- driving Lovethatsixpack ($8.70) to victory for owner-trainer Stewart Waterman.
Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney was on track for the return to racing at The Track on 2. The Premier, along with Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and MLA Ron Orr were on hand in the winner’s circle along with Dave Kelly following his victory with Make Some Waves.
Alberta's Premier Jason Kenney (third from left), MLA Ron Orr (fourth from left) and Devin Dreeshen, Alberta's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (second from right) join representatives from The Track On 2 and driver Dave Kelly in the winner's circle with third race winner Make Some Waves.
A strong thunderstorm passed through the Lacombe area after The Track on 2 contested the fifth race on the card. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning downgraded the track conditions to a hazardous point, prompting Races 6 through 9 on the card to get cancelled.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - The Track on 2.