The 43rd season of live harness racing at Kawartha Downs will kick off this Saturday evening (May 30), which has been dubbed ‘Gord Brown Night,’ as the track will celebrate the career of its leading driver for many years.
All patrons at the track on Saturday will receive free race programs, be eligible for prize draws, and each winning driver will toss commemorative Gord Brown hats to the crowd.
First-race post time for Kawartha’s Saturday card is 7 p.m.
Brown, who recorded the 4,000th win of his driving career this past March, has generously donated a brand new driving suit to be auctioned off on opening night. All money raised will go to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, which finds ‘forever homes’ for retired Standardbreds.
Other special events planned for this year’s meet, which runs from May 30 to October 3 (except September 19) include:
June 20 – The ‘Celebration of The Horse’ featuring RUS (racing under saddle). It will be an elevated purse night and will feature 12 races.
July 11 – In conjunction with Standardbred Canada, Kawartha will be hosting ‘Bring A Friend Night,’ which encourages the track’s regular attendees to bring a friend who has never attended the races before. There will be free programs and lots of fun activities.
July 18 – Celebration of Kawartha Downs’ anniversary, featuring the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots for three-year-old trotting colts.
August 1 – Family Night with activities for the youngsters including balloon animals, face painting, Hands On Horses and much more. It will be an elevated purse night and will feature 12 races.
September 5 – It’s Goodtimes Night! The track will celebrate the iconic career of Canadian Hall of Fame member Goodtimes, who began and ended his celebrated career at Kawartha Downs. It will be an elevated purse night and will feature 12 races.
September 12 – Memorial Night (also on September 26, if necessary).
October 3 – Fan Appreciation Night with the always popular Hands On Horses back to provide fans the opportunity to drive one of the incredible horses around the track.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at KD, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Kawartha Downs.
(Kawartha Downs)
I wish I could be there, but
I wish I could be there, but since I can't, let me say "Congratulations, Gord!" right now. This is a fitting tribute to a deserving horseman.
Congrats Gord. It seems
Congrats Gord. It seems strange to see you described as ...long time driver. It seems like just yesterday that you were the up and coming young driver Gord Brown.