Racing fans and horsepeople have waited a long time for a racing facility in Calgary. In 2006, Calgary’s Stampede Park hosted its final harness racing meet. In less than two weeks, Century Downs will open its doors and welcome major league racing back to the Calgary area with a harness racing meeting that will extend through November 14.
To celebrate the occasion, The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club will be on site at Alberta’s new racing facility, for the opening weekend of harness racing on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. Racing starts at 2:00 p.m. both days
Stop by the FC Booth after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and meet some of the local drivers. Take a selfie with one of the drivers and enter the FC’s Zoom Photo contest!
The first 100 people to join the Fan Club will receive a FREE gift and everyone who signs up will have a chance to win some great prizes! We’ll also have some of the FC merchandise for sale and we’ll be giving out copies of the April issue of TROT magazine and TROT 4 Kids activity books!
Fan Club members will also be able to enter an online handicapping challenge on the April 25 card of racing at Century Downs on SC’s website.
Here are some important details on Canada’s newest harness racing facility:
General Manager- Paul Ryneveld
Race Secretary– Jackson Wittup
Marketing Manager– Janette Ahrens
Track Announcer - Murray Slough
Track size- The track is a unique shape, 11/16ths with the extra distance being in the turns, 77 feet wide, grade of the turns is 8% with the intent of giving horses a better chance to come from behind
# horses behind the gate- 8
# trailers– 1
Regular starting gate
Stretch– 580 feet
Facilities– Century Downs Racetrack and Casino features the MidCity Grill restaurant and lounge. The casino also offers 550 slots machines and electronic gaming tables including Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Craps.
Race dates– Saturdays and Sundays in April (starting April 25) and May; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays (starting June 5) in June through October 31, and Saturdays & Sundays in November through November 14.
**Special holiday race cards on May 18, July 1, August 3, September 7, October 12 and November 11.
Click here for a complete schedule of racing.
Location- Century Downs Racetrack and Casino is located less than one mile north of the city limits of Calgary and 4.5 miles from the Calgary International Airport.