A fictional Rail Tails feature on how the racetrack backstretch, for some people, is the only place where they’d consider themselves to be ‘home for the holidays’. By Bob Carson

Les courses de chevaux sont plus qu’un travail. Les journées ne commencent pas à 9 h pour se terminer à 17 h. Elles ne cessent pas au cours des fins de semaine, ne paient pas de temps et demi ou d’indemnité de maladie.

Comme nous nous préparons à clore les livres pour l’année 2016, j’ai pensé qu’il serait approprié de revoir mes expériences à ce jour à titre de président et chef de la direction de Standardbred Canada.

As we prepare to close the book to 2016, I thought it would be appropriate to review my experiences thus far in the role of President and CEO of Standardbred Canada.

Horse racing is more than a job. It doesn’t start at 9 and end at 5. It doesn’t stop for weekends or pay time-and-a-half, or sick pay.

When a homebred races his entire life for the same connections, and retires to their loving care, it’s something to appreciate. When that horse is happy and competitive into his 14th year on the track, it’s something to celebrate. By Chris Lomon

World Champion two-year-old trotting sensation, Walner, has dominated his competition like a true harness racing superstar. For his connections, the next year looks to be a ride that they’re eagerly looking forward to. By Perry Lefko

We tend to think of racing’s heroes as the horses and the people who accompany them to the winner’s circle. But sometimes it’s the actions taken far from the racetrack, during the darkest of hours, where lives are changed. Meet one such hero: Dr. Patty Hogan. By Debbie Little

A 13 race win streak is worth talking about. When you combine that with a remarkable back story, a community rallying behind a horse, and an unlikely country music connection, you have something truly special. You have Surrealist. By Melissa Keith