With the departure of perennial driving champion Gilles Barrieau to Prince Edward Island for the summer and fall, it leaves a huge gap, but offers catch-driving opportunities for others in the province of New Brunswick.
Sometimes drivers can make a name for themselves in such a case as this. Take for instance a look at this Saturday's card at Exhibition Park Raceway.
There are a handful of drivers quick to fill in the slot on the program for the departed Barrieau.
No stranger to the winner's circle in Saint John, Todd Trites drives in all but two of the 11-dashes on Saturday.
Both Trites and Mark Haig waged a battle for second-place all year in 2012 at the Saint John oval and Haig picks up a total of seven mounts on the afternoon.
It's also a good opportunity for the young stars of New Brunswick such as Dale Spence Jr. and Chris Davies, who are bound to be more active for the rest of summer and fall meets in both Saint John and Fredericton.
Veteran drivers such as Gordon Hennessey, Mike Downey, Stephen Trites and Lonny Stokes, for example, supply the owners and trainers some great options.
It certainly was not great to lose Barrieau, but fans get a chance to see who might take this opportunity to shine and possibly share some big moments in 2013.
(Horse Racing New Brunswick)