The live harness racing season got underway at Rockingham Park on Saturday as the track welcomed back full fields of quality horses as well as enthusiastic fans and horsemen happy to be participating in the Salem landmark's 103rd season
.
"It's great to be back at The Rock and great to be back with my family and friends, said owner-trainer Arthur Brewer, who grew up only 10 miles from the track and bases his powerful stable in Delaware over the winter months. "I shipped in with 22 horses and I'm hoping for a good meet here this summer."
Brewer certainly got off to a fine start, winning two races on the opening day 10-race card with horses he owns and trains. His eight-year-old gelding Arid N was the star of the day, capturing the $10,000 featured pace in 1:54 on a fast track with top driver Bruce Ranger despite being sent off as the 5-1 third choice in the field of six.
"Bruce is the best," Brewer said in the winner's circle. "It looked like the horse wasn't going to get it done at the top of the stretch, but then he dug in and came on to pass the horse in front. Then he looked like he wasn't going to finish, but he came back and dug in again. A lot of the reason he won is Bruce. He's been driving for me for 35 years and Bruce gets the best out of every horse he drives."
Arid N returned $12.00 for a $2 wager while 6-5 favourite P H Bestman was a half-length back and Manchine rallied for third.
The big crowd on hand for The Rock's opening day of harness racing and the thoroughbred simulcast of the $1 million Belmont Stakes, the third jewel in the Triple Crown, enjoyed beautiful weather and took advantage of the track's promotion of a free season pass for every paid admission over 18.
"We're very pleased with the large crowd on hand and are also very pleased with the good quality of racing," said Ed Callahan, the track's president and general manager. "We're happy to see so many new outfits from Florida and Canada who have come to race here and we look forward to a very good summer of racing."
Another horseman who had high praise on opening day was Fred Cohen, who returned from Florida after skippng the past couple of seasons here. Cohen won the first race of the year with All My Best, the five-year-old pacer he owns, trains, and drives and then he completed the early daily double with Smothers, although he had David Ingraham drive the trotter he owns and trains.
"It feels really good to get that first winner in the books," Cohen said. "I'm glad to be back and the track itself is in really good shape to race over. Everything is great."
Live racing resumes tomorrow with post time of 1:05 p.m. and a featured $9,000 Trot on the 10-race card. Rockingham races live every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon with post time of 1:05 p.m. through August 30th, and the track also offers full card thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound simulcasting seven days and nights per week.
The free season pass giveaway with paid admission continues through Sunday, June 14th. Charitable poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and is also available at Rockingham Park seven days and nights each week and Bingo is played five nights per week.
(Rockingham Park)