It has been announced that production company Universum Media of Charlottetown has taken on the broadcasting of Truro Raceway’s Friday night cards of live racing this season.
The first official broadcast took place on May 3.
Racing fans were excited to see the upgrades, which included graphic overlays between races with horse and odds information; live numbers during the race showing the leaders; and winners’ circle updates with driver, trainer, and owner names. An important constant, though, was the voice of longtime track announcer Joe Kelly. Universum has blended the new with the familiar to make watching the live stream an improved experience.
Universum was on site for the Atlantic Regional Driving Championship in 2018. Since then, Truro Raceway General Manager Kelly MacEachen and Universum Media President Scott MacLean have been working towards the same goal: bring a better broadcast to Truro.
The support of others in the industry is important – it takes more than just having the right technology in place. In a Facebook post, Universum stated, “The #UMI Production Team was thrilled to begin live stream broadcast coverage from Truro/Bible Hill and can't wait for next Friday's race card. Also, huge thanks to Red Shores for their support of harness racing in Truro.”
Universum Media also manages the broadcast for the Maritimes’ biggest racing facility, Red Shores in Charlottetown, PEI. The Island facility is supporting this new broadcast through the lending of their production room, equipment, and resources.
MacEachen says that these partnerships are what will help the harness racing industry grow.
“It’s no secret that the [harness racing] industry has struggled,” said MacEachen, “but when we have each other’s backs and support racing in both provinces, we see the overall excitement for the sport grow.”
MacEachen is pleased with the response to both the new broadcast and to other new programs that Truro Raceway is launching this year, which includes the ‘Hubtown Horse Owners Club,’ where anyone can get in on the action of owning a racehorse for a fraction of the usual cost.
The live stream, which will be available every week, can be accessed by clicking here. Replays for those who miss the races will still be available via the track’s YouTube channel.
(With files from Truro Raceway)