This Sunday, Sept. 15, will be National Caretaker Appreciation Day (NCAD) at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.
Now in its seventh year of promotion by Standardbred Canada, NCAD highlights the work of these too often forgotten unsung heroes of our industry. Racetracks throughout Canada designate a day during August 30 to September 16 to recognize harness racing's caretakers.
For this occasion, both 3R and the Association Trot et Amble du Quebec (ATAQ), the association representing the horsepeople of Quebec, contribute to highlighting these women and men who are so essential to every stable, training centre and farm.
The caretakers are the backbone of the industry. They are closest to the horses every day. They accompany them for hours on race day. They are there to harness, wash, walk and watch over their horses during the many hours on race days. They often know their horses well, its habits, its quirks, its impatience or its quietude.
We see them in the winner's circle after a victorious race, but we don't see them when, after a race, they bring the horse back to the paddock, unharness it, wash it, dry it, walk it, and often put the bandages back on for the return trip. Win or lose, every horse is entitled to the same treatment.
Sunday’s 10-race program is dedicated to the caretakers with food in the race paddock, prizes for the caretaker of every winning horse and special recognition for every caretaker from track announcer Guy Lafontaine.
On the racetrack Sunday's feature is a $7,000 Quebec-Bred non-winners of $30,000 for three-year-old pacers. The morning line favourite is HP Game On from post four for driver Antoine Derouchers. Last week the son of McWicked was at his best, winning for the third time this season with a lifetime mark of 1:58.1.
First post time Sunday is 12:00 noon. For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca. To view entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)