It was a night of tears and laughter at Kawartha Downs on Saturday (August 27) as nine of the 10 races on the card were memorial races dedicated to horses and people who had an impact on the Standardbred racetrack but are no longer with us.
On Saturday night, Kawartha Downs paid tribute to noted horsemen Wayne Dowson, Roger Hie, Ivan Johnson, John Fry, longtime Kawartha Downs’ employees Tom Curtin and Mary Henderson, well known farrier Tom Grattan and his wife Ann, and young Brenna Seeley, who was a caretaker and worked in the telephoto department. She was killed in a car accident six years ago at the age of 24.
Kawartha Downs also celebrated the late world champion trotter Billyjojimbob, who began his Hall of Fame career at the Fraserville, Ont. oval. His owner Lori Ferguson is part of the Kawartha Downs’ team.
Kawartha Downs' next memorial night will be on September 10. Next Saturday, September 3, will be the richest night of racing remaining in the track's 2016 season. Kawartha Downs will feature its signature race, the Goodtimes Invitational, the Shorelines Drivers Challenge with the top nine drivers this year at Kawartha, and the OLG Pace. Post time is 7 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(With files from Kawartha Downs)