“I lived here forever and I recognize what it (the Exhibition) did for us, even as we went through the Somebeachsomewhere days. If the track wasn’t there, we wouldn’t have Somebeachsomewhere.”
Late last week, the provincial government announced the composition of the new Board for the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission, which operates live racing at Truro Raceway.
The five-member Board includes Bruce Kennedy, who is part of Wakizashi Hanover’s ownership group. Wakizashi Hanover has made himself a household name in the industry this year courtesy of his impressive win in the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup. In what was his first start since winning the ‘Cup,’ Wakizashi Hanover won his elimination for the Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace this past weekend at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Kennedy is not the only NA Cup winning owner on the new Board, though, as its Chair, Stuart ‘Stu’ Rath, was part of the ownership group that campaigned the great Somebeachsomewhere during his days on the track.
The Chronicle Herald has spoken with Rath in regard to the announcement.
Rath – whose comments kick off this story – told The Chronicle Herald that he is pleased with the Board’s composition. “I’m happy with the people who are on the board,” he said. “Before I agreed to it, I wanted to know who was going to be on it.” A representative from the Department of Agriculture will also be named to the Board at a future date.
Rath, a resident of Truro, stressed how the NSPE-run raceway was a big part of the Somebeachsomewhere story. Everyone involved in Truro’s future is hoping that the raceway can play a role in further equine successes of the same magnitude.
Rath points to the commission’s partnership with the provincial government as being a big plus, but adds that a stronger bond has to be reached with local agencies
“I think now that we have the province, the Department of Agriculture, on our side, that is positive,” he said. “In some ways, we have to get the town and county on our side, too.”
(With files from The Chronicle Herald)