Hanover Raceway hosted the first-ever ‘Off and Pacing Night’ this past Saturday evening (July 21), and it was a historic night that saw the first ever virtual harness racing stakes race hosted at a racetrack.
The race was available to enter exclusively to anyone in attendance at the track through the mobile horse racing game ‘Off and Pacing.’ For more information on Off and Pacing, click here.
Two elimination races were contested and the top four finishers from each elim gained entrance to the final, which was broadcasted on the infield jumbotron and called by Hanover Raceway announcer Rick Rier. "That was fun to call live!" Rier said afterward on Twitter.
The virtual horse Junk Yard Embers was the night’s big winner. He was entered into the race by Off and Pacing user Steve Fitzsimmons (‘Fitz Stable’).
"My strategy was very simple, a Hanover strategy: Put Bruce Richardson as your driver and you're [going to] have pretty good success," Fitzsimmons said with a smile after the trophy presentation.
Off and Pacing Marketing Coordinator Landon Mulhall presents Steve Fitzsimmons with the Off and Pacing At The Track Stakes Championship trophy (Photo courtesy Off and Pacing)
Hanover welcomed Off and Pacing users who travelled to the track specifically to enter into the virtual stakes race – even one that drove in from Detroit, Michigan.
Ryan Clements, creator of Off and Pacing, Landon Mulhall, marketing coordinator, and Daniel Keller, Off and Pacing stable owner – who travelled from Detroit to be in attendance – pose for a picture in front of the Off and
Pacing booth (Photo courtesy Off and Pacing)
The next at-the-track-stakes-race will be held on Off and Pacing Night at Georgian Downs, which has been set for Saturday, August 25.
(With files from Off and Pacing)