After the rainiest summer of recent memory in the Edmonton, Alberta region, the harness racing community along with Century Mile Racetrack and Casino are coming together to brighten the day for some lucky local children. The inaugural KidSport Day will take place Sunday, September 22 at Century Mile, located just south of the province’s capital, next to the Edmonton International Airport.
KidSport is a national non-profit designed to focus on each chapter’s local community with a network of 177 chapters across the country. They provide financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under. Since its creation in 1993 they have given the chance to play to over 750,000 kids. Their mission is to ensure no kid is left on the sidelines and that all have the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sport.
Returning this year as KidSport Ambassadors are horsemen Mike Hennessy and David Kelly. Both drivers will be on hand Sunday morning to bring KidSport supported families for a VIP meet and greet and barn tour before that afternoon’s race card.
“I strongly believe in what KidSport does in the community and believe that all kids should have the same opportunity to play sports,” states leading driver Mike Hennessy, who’s now in his third year as an ambassador. “Since teaming up with KidSport I can’t believe how many families they reach, and the joy they bring on so many levels to people who need it.”
The sentiment is echoed by Dave Kelly, who returns for his second year with KidSport. “I was lucky enough to play sports growing up. That’s where I met a lot of my friends, gained confidence, and developed the competitive edge that I’ve now carried into my career. I thought this was a great way to team up with KidSport and help out.”
Open to racing fans of all ages, the day is complimented by a KidSport Feature Race to kick off the afternoon in Race 1, and a number of kid-friendly activities including face painting, balloon artists and the Thistle Hill Farm Petting Zoo and Pony Rides.
Century Mile will also be giving out KidSport Edition plush horse Henry during the day in exchange for a minimum $10 donation. The activities are by donation, but with no minimum, with all proceeds going directly to KidSport Edmonton.
Admission and parking are free. Post time for the card is 1:15 p.m. with the kid-friendly activities running in the tent on the trackside apron from 12:00 - 4:0 p.m. The card is highlighted by three divisions of the Century Mile stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings, as well as two divisions of the Jim Rogers Memorial stakes for two-year-old fillies.
To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Century Mile.
(Century Mile)