Harrington Raceway’s 67th year of live harness racing will commence Sunday, April 21 with an 11-race program beginning at 5:30 p.m.
A customary hat giveaway will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the lower grandstand area, where $1 programs and $1 hot dogs will also be available as part of the opening day festivities.
Last year’s co-leading trainers, brothers Wayne and Les Givens, will be back in action as they will race a combined seven horses on the program. Meanwhile, two-time defending driving champion Ross Wolfenden has a busy night ahead, with nine scheduled drives.
Thirteen-year-old Village Blitz (4-1, Wolfenden), a local favourite, will return to his home track in Race 11. 'Blitz' has 35 career wins at Harrington, more than any horse in track history.
The sixth race on the program will honour the late Ned Galentine, who passed away in 2012 and was a longtime horseman and racing official.
Racing will be conducted on a Sunday-through-Thursday schedule until June 9, when the schedule goes to four days (Sunday – Wednesday) until June 26. There will be a special night of racing during the Delaware State Fair (7:00 p.m. post time) on July 25 before the summer/fall season returns on a Monday – Thursday schedule on August 12 and continue through October 24.
The seventh annual Bobby Quillen Memorial, Harrington’s signature race, is scheduled for September 9 and 16. Last year’s winner, Betterthancheddar, equaled a world record with his 1:49.2 win.
(Harrington)