Clinton Raceway’s annual Charity Driver's Challenge ended in a tie for the first time with the track's leading driver Travis Henry and national win leader Austin Sorrie sharing the spotlight in the 45th edition of the event held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 31.
The Charity Driver's Challenge at Clinton Raceway proved once again that harness racing and community go hand in hand. The event, held in support of the Royal Canadian Legion branches of Exeter, Seaforth, Clinton and Hensall, raised more than $10,000 through a combination of activities including the generous donation of driver fees, a BBQ, bake sale, 50/50 draw, dinner ticket sales and race sponsorships.
Eight drivers -- Travis Henry, Daryl Thiessen, Austin Sorrie, Paul Mackenzie, Samuel Fillion, Lorne House, Garrett Rooney and Tyler Borth -- competed in the popular eight-race challenge that kicked off the day’s 11-race card.
Fillion established the early lead with victories in the first two races but was joined atop the leaderboard by MacKenzie, Rooney and Thiessen by the sixth leg after those reinsmen each had winning drives among their results.
In a thrilling conclusion to the challenge, Henry jumped ahead in the point standings when he picked up a victory in the penultimate leg as 13-year-old pacer Adore Him earned his 50th career milestone win for trainer Curt Blake, while Sorrie, who scored an early victory in the third leg with Pat Bissett trainee Larjon Lilly, won the final challenge race with Brent Belore trainee Getting Euchred to join Henry atop the leaderboard in a tie.
Both Henry and Sorrie earned 52 points throughout the challenge races to share first place in the Charity Driver's Challenge standings.
The back half of the card featured two $25,000 divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots two-year-old male pacers. Tyler Borth guided D A Lets Dance (Dancin Lou-Quantum Blue Chip) to a 2:00.2 victory by a head for trainer and co-owner Gregg McNair while Thirty Six Red (All Bets Off-Tantalizing Trish), who is trained, driven and co-owned by Paul Davies, won by a neck in 1:58.
“The support from our community, fans, drivers and sponsors makes this day so special,” said a statement from Clinton Raceway’s management team on the charity event. “The funds raised will go a long way in supporting our local Legion branches, and we’re proud to continue this tradition year after year.”
Since its inception, the Charity Driver's Challenge has raised more than $387,000 for local organizations, making it one of Clinton Raceway’s most impactful annual events.
The Huron County oval also honoured its unsung heroes of the industry during the annual Caretakers Appreciation Day, a Standardbred Canada-led tradition. Along with presentations to winning caretakers of a halter, lead and gift card, Clinton Raceway, with assistance from the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, provided a meal for all caretakers in the backstretch.
Two Sunday afternoons of live harness racing remain in the 15-week season with the extension of the season due to the delayed opening.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following links: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.
(With files from Clinton Raceway)