Dresden Raceway has announced that the Mark Austin Memorial Pacing Series will be expanding to two divisions in 2023.
The series has expanded to include a mares pace in addition to the open pace.
The open division will be for maiden pacers that are non-winners of one pari-mutual race or $5,000 lifetime, as of midnight March 31, 2023. No allowances.
The mares division is for filly and mare maiden pacers that are non-winners of one pari-mutual race or $5,000 lifetime, as of midnight March 31, 2023. No allowances.
Each division will have two legs with $5,000 guaranteed purses on June 4 and June 11, followed by $12,000 added finals on June 18.
Nominations are due Monday, April 3, 2023. The nomination fee is $100 ($80 USD).
Mark Austin was a trainer who hailed from Chatham, Ont. and got his start at Dresden Raceway in the early 1980s, training for owners such as Graham Chambers. In 1988, his reputation of being great with young horses caught up with him, as he was asked to break a yearling trotter named A Worthy Lad for Joe Johnston. A Worthy Lad never lost a race in North America.
Austin then moved his stable closer to Windsor, Ont. and worked with Jack Darling during the 1990s, when Darling Stables produced champions like Northern Luck and Gothic Dream.
When Windsor Raceway began its decline, Austin moved his operation to Fergus, Ont., where horses like Sparky Mark and Fool Me Once headlined his stable.
Austin, who passed away suddenly in 2014, had a career training average of .345 and more than $9 million in earned purses with 837 wins.
Austin wasn't only a top-notch trainer -- he was also a favourite around the track as he was described as a true gentleman and one of the nicest guys in the business. Austin was married to Julie, with two daughters, Paige and Paula.
For more information on the series, visit Dresden-Raceway.ca.
Dresden Raceway's 2023 harness racing season opens on Sunday, May 28.
(With files from Dresden Raceway)