Clinton Raceway hosted its All-Memorial race card under sunny skies and beautiful weather on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 26).
The 10-race matinee featured seven memorial events in honour of those special race fans, owners and trainers that have left the sport too soon. Families and friends gathered in the winner's circle to remember the late Bill Fleming, Vince Hodgins, Ken Pollard, Jim "Taz" Taman, Frank MacDonald, Dennis Riggin, and Dick and Joey Roberts. Each winning owner was presented with a metal cutout of the track's logo with an engraved plaque.
The Stratford Warriors were trackside for the day's fundraiser. The major peewee hockey team raised just over $2,000 for their 2018-19 season. The final Trackside Local Market of the season also took place, and Nick Bell, a local student heading back to Fanshawe College in London, Ont. won the grand prize of $1,000 to help with the year's expenses.
On the track, the featured $6,000 conditioned pacing event saw Azucar Pipedream ($8.20) wire her seven foes in 2:00.3. Natasha Day, who led all drivers with three wins on the 10-race card, drove the daughter of Secrets Nephew for owner-trainer Tom Hamm.
The 2018 season comes to a close next Sunday (Sept. 2) with the 38th Annual Charity Driver's Challenge, a fundraiser for the Tanner Steffler Foundation. Post time for the day's events is set for 1:30 p.m. More details can be found at www.clintonraceway.com.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.
(with files from Clinton Raceway)