New Looks At Hanover For 2020

There is a changing of the guard at Hanover Raceway in 2020, as Steve Fitzsimmons is looking after the general manager duties, while Tony Elliott has assumed the position of assistant to the general manager.

“It’s pretty much the role I was looking for,” Elliott said. “This puts me in line for what I’m aiming for in my career. I’m looking forward to getting some experience in both the marketing and managing sides of the horse racing business.”

Elliott was a familiar face around The Raceway at Western Fair District this past race meet. Elliott, who is known for his social media skills and pregame show appearances, will look to continue on with much of the same, and more, at Hanover this season.

“It’s been great getting to know the racing team in London,” Elliott said. “I enjoyed helping out on the pregame shows and Greg Gangle was a great mentor as well. I like what London does with racing -- it’s a great model for other tracks to follow.”

A new time slot for Hanover, this season, will see the track switch to a Saturday afternoon 2 p.m. post time. “We wanted to have a more ‘family friendly’ post time. And this way we’re not going up against Georgian Downs and Woodbine Mohawk Park in the evening.”

Elliott will also host a pregame show and look after some 'in-between-race' commentary during the race day broadcasts. “I got in some practice this past weekend during our qualifiers,” Elliot said. “A little bit of test run, all around, as we get set for our opening day card this Saturday. Is was great to see that the mood on the backstretch was really good. Horsepeople were following all the new rules and it was clear to see that they were just happy to be back racing.”

Along with a new online 'survivor challenge' for each race program, race fans will enjoy the new high definition (HD) live stream on the YouTube and Facebook Live platforms. “We’re really excited about the new HD experience,” Elliot said. “It’s a super upgrade for our racing product and it will be most welcomed by our viewers, I’m sure.”

Hanover hosted qualifying races this past weekend, and, accord to Shannon 'Sugar' Doyle, a horse to watch for in the weeks ahead will be Presto Score. Owned by Darryl and Gerald Holmes, of Meaford, the lightly-raced five-year-old son of Sportswriter just jogged in his prep race. He paced a back half in :59 flat for a 2:02.1 score while Tom Smith was motionless in the sulky.

Mohawk regular Mach Code was out for an easy qualifying win, as well, for owners Jeff and Lori Thomson. “He was the standout,” Elliot noted. “Scott Young was here to drive him and he just toyed with his foes, winning by open lengths in 1:58.4. We may not see him back this Saturday, but most of the others that qualified will likely be with us.”

For all the latest happenings at Hanover Raceway, visit hanoverraceway.com and be sure to follow Tony Elliott on Twitter (@elliottracing99), as he will keep fans up to speed on all things racing this summer.

Camluck Classic Highlights COSA TV

Though the Camluck Classic would have been contested this weekend, the signature race was nonetheless front and centre on the Sunday (May 31) edition of COSA TV Live.

Host Greg Blanchard was joined by colleagues from 'The Raceway' (Greg Gangle and Sugar Doyle). Additionally, Michael Carter from the USTA revisited and discussed many memorable moments from the history of the Camluck Classic, formally known as the Molson Pace until 2018 (and prior to that, known as the Labatt Pace).

Catch the highlights and the full TV show here.

(Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle for The Raceway at Western Fair District)