Kelly MacMillan, president of Harness Racing BC, sensed something positive was in the works at Fraser Downs early into the 2023 spring season.
Seven months later, he’s convinced.
With the fall Standardbred season set to launch Thursday and Friday (Sept.14 and 15) at Fraser Downs in Surrey, B.C., MacMillan doesn’t attempt to harness his enthusiasm.
“I hardly know where to begin,” he said. “Our horsemen have continued to put their heads down and just keep at it. I guess that’s the biggest factor that has moved us forward...the dedication and resilience of everyone involved.”
MacMillan is thrilled with the BC Racebook hiring of Dawn Lupul as Manager of Racing and Communications at both Fraser Downs and Hastings Racecourse. Lupul’s career includes vast experience as an owner, breeder and trainer in both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing as well as having established herself as a respected analyst and broadcaster.
“I believe she is going to be a fantastic addition to the team and super asset to horse racing in B.C.,” said MacMillan.
He added how pleased he is that Darren Lupul, brother of Dawn, has returned as Racing Secretary at Fraser Downs.
“The two of them have been working incredibly hard to get the meet off to a good start.”
Noting the 2023 spring season (February through May) handle increased by 18 per cent compared to 2022, MacMillan is confident in continuing the momentum into this meet with Fraser Downs introducing a new simulcast broadcast in high definition that includes a modernized graphics package.
Also, to elevate the competitive factor of the races, there will be the introduction of only seven starters at the gate with the eighth starter being in the trailer position.
“There was always a trailer but with nine horses,” noted Dawn Lupul. “Now, the fields will be limited to eight starters and the number eight will be the trailer instead of nine, with one exception. In stakes races, it will still be eight horses wide with one trailer as the number nine. It provides a more competitive race for the benefit of the horses. Everyone I’ve talked to at Fraser Downs has been super excited. We’re ready to promote our product to new and existing fans worldwide.”
Lupul was thrilled to share the news that record-setting driver Brandon Campbell plans to be at Fraser Downs with regular appearances throughout the 2023 fall schedule.
Campbell captured the spring season driving title with an awesome 92 wins in 216 starts during the 28-day meet, winning eight consecutive Open victories with the six-year-old gelding Outlaw C My Shadow for trainer Connie Kolthammer. That made it 11 consecutive wins dating back to the 2022 season when Campbell reached a milestone of more than $2 million in purse earnings, a feat never before accomplished in Western Canada.
Campbell put the finishing touches to his Fraser Downs driving title with a five-win performance on the final day of the spring session, including a sweep of the $50,000 Penny Bath and Keith Linton Memorial sophomore stakes for the Jim Marino stable. On the same card, Scott Knight drove three winners to make it a total of 37 victories for a second-place finish behind Campbell and two in front of Kelly Hoerdt.
Hoerdt and Marino tied for leading trainer honours, each sending out 46 winners during the 28-day meet. Rod Therres and Chris Lancaster tied for third in the training standings with 19 wins.
“All of these talented drivers and trainers will be back in the spotlight at Fraser Downs over the next four months,” said Lupul.
Campbell likes to split his time between Fraser Downs and Century Downs in his native Alberta.
“My favourite place in the whole world is when I’m lining up behind the gate,” said Campbell in a Harnesslink interview. “It’s where I am most happy. People ask me what my hobby is and it’s that moment. It’s when I’m lining up against everybody and the gate lets us go.”
Post times on Thursdays for the fall meet at Fraser Downs will be 7 p.m. Friday cards begin at 6 p.m. then move to 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 through the reminder of the schedule.
Breeders Classic Day has been split into a two-day format. The Oct. 26 card features two $100,000 stakes for two-year-old colts & geldings and two-year-old fillies. The second set of $100,000 stakes will be Nov. 24 for three-year-old colts & geldings and three-year-old fillies.
The three-year-old stakes get underway on Thursday with the opening leg of the Robert and Mary Murphy Memorial, including three $15,000 divisions for the colts and one for the fillies. Fraser Downs will also celebrate National Caretaker Appreciation Day.
To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Fraser Downs.
(With files from BC Racebook)