Officials with Horse Racing New Brunswick have established a memorial series for Gary Smith starting on May 28 at Exhibition Park Raceway.
Affectionately known as "Shack" in racing circles, Smith encompassed everything it means to be an industry leader with his organizational skills in the paddock and the extra time it takes to make people feel welcome each week, wherever he was working.
His loss to the industry in New Brunswick and throughout the Maritimes can be felt everyday that race day approaches, and the day of the races. He spent many years helping in organizing benefits in New Brunswick for horsepeople injured and who have fallen ill. In short, 'he did it all.'
Horse Racing New Brunswick extends an invite to everyone in the Maritimes to help remember Gary Smith and, at the same time, race for some great money with no entry or starting fees involved.
The conditions of the series are available below.
Gary "Shack" Smith Memorial Series
Eliminations: May 28 - $2,500 each
Final: June 4 - $5,000
No entry fee and no starting fee
For horses that have started for $4,000-$6,000 claimers in one of their last five starts
AE: Non-winners of $1,001 in last five starts or $2,001 last 10
AE: Non-winners of $200 per start 2021-2022 or just 2022 (minimum six starts required)
AE: Non-winners of $5,000, 2021-2022 combined, minimum 15 starts
Not eligible: Any horse that has raced an Invitational event in the last 12 months
Entries must be declared on Wednesday, May 25 between 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Elimination winners will also receive one free night at the Best Western Saint John, courtesy of Gary's friends at the Best Western, which was his favourite place to stay.
(With files from Horse Racing New Brunswick)