Officials with the PEI Matinee Development Project have released the details for the 2013 matinee season.
The 2013 PEI Matinee Challenge Series will get underway with the early races on Sunday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Pinette and Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Charles F. Willis Memorial Racetrack in O'Leary.
Anyone with a horse is welcome to participate at the matinee tracks -- there is no licensing, no starting fees, just a lot of fun. All organizers ask is that the horse is fit and ready to race, whatever the speed, and you call the various tracks to let them know you're coming. There is always a very slow class or two with less speed but equal excitement.
Matinee horsemen set a standard for horse-friendly racing and do not carry whips to race unless they are schooling young horses.
Horses which participate in Challenge Series races receive points for finish and the top 18 will be invited to the finals at Summerside Raceway in September.
2013 RACE DATES:
Sunday, June 9
• Pinette, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12
• O'Leary, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 23
• Pinette, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3
• O'Leary, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 20
• O’Leary, 2:30 p.m. (Potato Festival)
Saturday, July 27
• Alberton, 2:00 p.m. (Exhibition)
Sunday, July 28
• Pinette, 1:30 p.m. (Kilted Pace)
Sunday, August 18
• Kensington, 2:00 p.m.
TBA
• Tyne Valley
Saturday, September 7
• O’Leary, 1:00 p.m. (Children’s Wish)
Sunday, September 22
• Summerside Finals
Inquiries can be made to:
Alberton
• Blaine MacKenna (438-0002)
Kensington
• Fred Paynter (886-2445)
O’Leary
• Clair Sweet (859-2221) or Phillip DesRoche (859-1515)
Pinette
• 659-2700
Tyne Valley
• Paul Biggar (831-2296)
All matinee inquiries
• Susan Whelan (887-2563)
(PEI Matinee Development Project)