Dresden Raceway wrapped up another great season with a special Friday evening card of racing.
Friday night’s card concluded with Go Rrrilla winning his second in a row at the track in 1:58.4. The four-year-old Camluck gelding is owned by Steve Main and Gord Rains, while Chris Johnston does the training and driving.
The 2018 season at Dresden was another year of positive movement at Dresden Raceway with the fifth straight year of a total increase in handle and attendance.
An estimated 10,800 people walked through the turnstiles this season and bet a total handle of $305,959, which is an increase of almost 1,100 people from last year and an increase of $22,753. The average handle this season was $27,814.
“We were happy with this season,” said Dresden Ag Society president Lucille Laprise, adding, “Our attendance and handle were both up and we saw an increase in regular traffic from Michigan and places further away like Goderich, London, Windsor and Hamilton.”
Tyler Borth had an incredible year as the top driver at Dresden Raceway as he finished the year with 38 wins and purses totalling over $116,000 in just 11 cards of racing.
“Tyler had the hot hands all year long. He made the best of the live mounts and really did a terrific job almost every time he hopped on the race bike,” said track announcer Gary Patterson.
Mike Carther was the top trainer in 2018 at Dresden with 14 wins on the season and earnings of $36,434.
“Mike really had a great year as everything that made a home in his barn had some success. He showed that dedication and hard work pays off,” said Patterson.
Patterson also commented on the whole colony of regular horse people at the track.
“Garrett (Rooney), Donnie (Rankin) and Nick (Steward) were all so solid as drivers as they gave every mount a chance to compete while Donnie (Rankin) and Cathy (Gaudreau) both had a solid meet and were in the hunt for the top trainer honours.”
Dresden Raceway’s storied 150-year history has had its ups and downs but has stabilized over the last five years. Dresden will be applying for races dates to start back up in May.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Dresden Raceway.
(Dresden Raceway)