Trainers and drivers weigh in on their favourite Xtreme Horsepower events and offer up some new ideas of their own for the annual day of extreme horse racing in this week's Standardbred Canada video feature.
Held annually in partnership with Georgian Downs, Standardbred Canada's Xtreme Horsepower has included races contested over distances shorter and longer than the standard one-mile (1/8, 3/8, 5/8, 1-1/4, 1-5/8, 1-7/8, 2-1/2 miles), fields including up to 18 starters, shot gun and walking starts, races contested in the opposite direction around the track, horseless sulky pulls, miniature pony races and trotting under saddle races. Over the years, entertainment off-track has included music, a trainers and drivers dunk tank, children's activities, along with Money Machine and Deal or No Deal contests.
"My favourite Xtreme race I'm going to say is probably the mini pony race," said trainer Casie Coleman, who won the 2010 edition with her mini Jersey Boy. "The 5/8-mile dash I think is good. I know it's not a new one -- they do that every year -- but it's a lot of excitement with a lot of horses going all they can go."
"I like the sprint race. I think they should have a 1/4-mile dash though," said driver James MacDonald. "I think that's what everyone kind of wants. No one really understands the 1/8th. It's 12 seconds or 11 seconds or whatever is. Everyone wants to see that big quarter."
The 2012 edition of Xtreme Horsepower will take place on Saturday, September 1 at Georgian Downs. First race post time is 6 p.m. One of the new events this year will be a race featuring grey coloured horses only.
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