This afternoon, Trot Insider spoke with Standardbred Canada's chairman of the Board, Jackson Wittup, regarding being named the newest director at Fraser Downs in Surrey, BC.
"They were short-handed in the racing department, and Chuck Keeling asked me if I wanted to come aboard after the meet at Grande Prairie wrapped up," said Wittup, named director of Racing.
"Standardbred horsemen in BC now have the chance to receive their share of the slots at Hastings [Park] and I'm getting in on the ground floor at Fraser. It's an exciting time and I'm very excited to be coming aboard."
Fraser kicks off its 107-date meet tonight with a 13-race card. The meet runs until June, 2009. Wittup will be assuming his role at Fraser on Wednesday, October 8.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Fraser horsemen," Wittup told Trot Insider. "I've always had a great relationship with the horsemen in Alberta and I'm looking to continue that."
Fraser's meet kicks off tonight with live entertainment, an old-fashioned barbecue/tailgate party, collectible give-a-ways and the top 10 Fraser drivers signing their new trading cards.
The first 200 fans in attendance opening night will receive complimentary shirts that include the new Fraser Downs logo.
The collection of trading cards with individual photos of the top 10 drivers will be available in the Atrium with those very drivers on hand to sign autographs.
The all-star list of drivers includes Bill Davis, Jim Marino, Dave Hudon, Tim Brown, Scott Knight, Gord Abbott, Serge Masse, Jim Burke, Barry Treen and Darren Howald.
To view the entries for tonight's action at Fraser, click here.
First race post time is 7:30 p.m.
(With files from Fraser Downs)