Leamington Raceway is excited to announce a special event this Sunday, Sept. 8, celebrating National Caretaker Appreciation Day and the return of Hall of Fame announcer Frank Salive to his hometown. The day promises to be a memorable occasion for racing fans and the local community.
National Caretaker Appreciation Day honours the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success and excitement of harness racing each week. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in the care and preparation of the horses, and this event will acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
In addition to National Caretaker Appreciation Day, Frank Salive, the legendary harness racing announcer known for his iconic “velvet fog” voice, will be making a special visit to Leamington Raceway. Salive, who is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the sport, will be returning to his hometown to connect with fans and enhance the day’s festivities.
It is estimated that Salive has called close to 200,000 horse races at 75 different racetracks throughout North America. His conversant, insightful calls and his silky-smooth voice made Salive well known in the horse racing community. One of Salive’s biggest achievements was being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2022.
Event highlights for Sunday include:
- National Caretaker Appreciation Day: A special tribute to the caretakers of harness racing, including prizes recognizing their valuable contributions.
- Live announcing by Frank Salive: Frank will take to the microphone to announce Races 2 through 6, bringing his renowned commentary style and expertise to the track.
- Meet and Greet: Following his race announcing, Salive will be available for a meet and greet with fans. This is a unique opportunity to meet the Hall of Famer, get autographs, and take photos.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Caretaker Day and welcome Frank Salive back to Leamington Raceway,” said Nathan Bain, Track Announcer of Leamington Raceway. “This event is a wonderful way to honour the hardworking caretakers who are essential to the sport and to reconnect with Frank, whose voice has become synonymous with harness racing.”
The 11-race card will kick off at 1 p.m. For those who can’t attend, viewing is available on lakeshorehorseraceway.com.
To view Sunday's entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Leamington Raceway.
(Leamington Raceway)