Hanover Raceway was the scene for a great night of harness racing on Saturday night and a large crowd was on hand to witness the track dish out awards to its top performers from the month of May.
Brian Irvine from Bruceland Air was in attendance to present Trevor Henry and Kevin McMaster awards for being last month’s top driver and trainer, respectively, at the Hanover track. Each award winner was presented a special prize package courtesy Bruceland Air and Hanover Raceway.
Raceway MC Fred Wallace caught up with each of the recipients in the winner’s circle to find out what led them to their early season success.
McMaster, a resident of Guelph, Ont., noted that because of Flamboro Downs closing down for the summer, he’s been forced to race a little further from home and his horses have adapted well to racing in Hanover. The conditioner mentioned he has a stable of 12 horses racing right now and heading into the Saturday night card he was sporting a five-for-five record at Hanover Raceway in 2013. By the end of the night, he improved that rating to six-for-six, but his stable was reduced after Yankee Luke was claimed. The seven-year-old Dragon Again gelding made his last start from McMaster Stables a winning one, cruising to victory in 1:55.1 with J Harris driving.
Henry, a 10-time leading dash-winning driver at Hanover Raceway and last year’s leading dash winner for all of Canada, also spoke with Wallace in the winner’s circle after winning the fifth race – his second victory of the night – aboard Pier Ho Charles for trainer Jim Stewart. The interview served as a farewell of sorts, as the Arthur, Ont. resident is set to depart for France on Friday, where he will defend Canada’s title at the World Driving Championship. Henry’s other win of the night came in a dead-heat as Sauble Jackson crossed the finished line tied with Navarro Seelster in the third race.
Saturday also wrapped up the qualifying round of Hanover Raceway’s Pick 3 Fantasy Harness Racing contest. Perle Breadner finished atop the standings with 124 fantasy points built up over the past four Saturday nights. She’ll face off against seven other competitors next week, who will all receive prize packs from the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club. Full contest details are available of the Hanover Raceway Facebook page.
Harness racing returns next Saturday night with a post time of 7:30 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(Hanover Raceway)