Bruce Richardson had the hottest hands on Hockeyville Night at Hanover Raceway as the 43-year-old Arthur, Ont. reinsman won half of the 10 races on the night to launch himself to the top of the track's driving standings with 10 wins in the first four weeks of the season.
Richardson started the ball rolling winning race two with Watt A Funny Face in 1:58.1 for owner Morag Watt of Clinton. Richardson also won race four with first-time starter Mach Code for owners Jeff and Lori Thomson of Chesley in 1:58.2, and followed that up with a win in race five driving Federal Army in 2:04. Richardson co-owns that trotter with Randy Marriage of Clinton and Peter Irwin of Ayton. Win number four came in race seven with Vital Sign for the Thomsons in 1:57.4, and he wrapped up the night winning the final dash with Thunderaway in 1:58.4, for owners Ron O’Neill of Cambridge and Martin Hossack of Thamesford.
Four youngsters went home with brand new bicycles courtesy of Hanover Raceway and Hanover Canadian Tire on Hockeyville Night. They were six-year-old Gabriel Yeoman of Shallow Lake, nine-year-old Corey Lacey of Walkerton, four-year-old Lucan Johnston of Hanover and 10-year-old Heidi Allen of Kincardine.
Hockeyville was started by GM Gord Dougan during Hanover’s bid to win the CBC Hockeyville contest during the Hanover arena construction. Dougan said since it brought the town together so well, he thought he’d keep the tradition going by awarding bicycles to children and teens 13 and under who wore their favourite hockey jersey to the races.
Hanover plays host to the Ontario Sires Stakes on Saturday, July 5 as three-year-old colt trotters hit the track, including several that hope to return for the Dream of Glory eliminations on July 26. Saturday is also Ladies Night, as ladies in attendance can win one of several prizes donated by the Flower Shoppe and Greenhouse and My Scissors and I in Hanover. Hanover Raceway also kicks off its Survivor Handicapping Contest. Fans who pick a horse in four consecutive races that finish in the money can return for the August 9 finals and a chance to win a 50-inch high definition TV courtesy of Country 93 Radio. Fans can enter the free contest each Saturday in July and can qualify for the finals more than once. Post time next Saturday is 7:15 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)