To say that Leamington Raceway’s season-opening card on Sunday (August 6) was a success is a big understatement. The 10-race card produced the second-highest handle that the track has seen in the last five years. Tom Bain of the Lakeshore Horse Raceway Association is especially pleased with the success of the card.
Fans pack the grandstand at Leamington Raceway on Sunday, August 6, 2017 (Photo courtesy Dax Melmer / Windsor Star)
“Huge turnout, it was a big success,” Bain, who is also the warden of Essex County, told the Windsor Star.
“The grandstand was full, top and bottom. The day was much better than what we expected. We were hoping for a big crowd, we got a huge crowd. We were really hoping we could top the $30,000 mark and we were just shy of $40,000. So you couldn’t ask for any better.”
Railbirds get in some last-minute handicapping at Leamington Raceway on Sunday, August 6, 2017 (Photo courtesy Dax Melmer / Windsor Star)
Keystone Nordic gelding Riversathome won the Leamington season opener on Sunday. The six-year-old bay trotted from last to first in the final half-mile for driver Mark Williams and trainer/owner Michel Lariviere.
Riversathome, the second-longest shot on the board (11-1), won by three lengths in 2:02.2. A $2 win ticket on the gelding paid $24.80. Justice Delight, who was overlooked and was sent postward at odds 14-1, finished second after having led for most of the mile. Race favourite Toss It Back followed in third.
Live harness racing will continue on Sundays at Leamington through October 29. Post time for the first race each day is 1:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(With files from the Windsor Star)