Some might say that Santa Claus and I have just one similarity (our jolly roundness), but I’ve often wished for an additional likeness -- I’d love to have the gift of giving.
If I could don a red cap and coat, climb into my sleigh (pulled by eight flying standardbreds), and travel the country in a night, I’d sneak down the chimney of every home in every province and leave gifts of stability and comfort for all the participants in our harness racing industry.
But since I’ve got no red coat, no sleigh and arguably slower travel time, I can send only warm thoughts and good wishes. I sincerely hope all Standardbred Canada members are spending quality time with their families (human and equine) throughout this holiday season. And I hope they take a moment to relax amidst working as hard as they always do for a prosperous new year.
There’s someone, I know, who is looking forward to a particularly relaxing year – one lucky patron at Woodbine recently took home a dollar-slot-machine jackpot worth $4.7 million. You can bet (no pun intended) he’ll be back for more!
On a gambling note, Trot editor-in-chief Darryl Kaplan reports that the Standardbred Wagering Action Plan (SWAP) is beginning to develop business plans, budgets and structural requirements. Dozens of volunteers have spent countless hours researching and writing and there’s no doubt their work will soon come to fruition. Their focus seems to be gaining momentum towards ideas such as lottery-type distribution, national betting pools and travelling festivals.
These volunteers are not the only ones who’ve been putting their heads together in recent months – all the commissions met near the end of October, and the full board of Standardbred Canada sat down the third week of November. And of course, two heads (or three, or four, or even 20) are better than one, and the more people are talking, the more we can accomplish as an industry team.
On behalf of Standardbred Canada and Fraser Downs, I would like to congratulate the drivers who were crowned champions of their regions -- Brad Forward and Paul MacDonell from Ontario, Guy Gagnon and Daniel Potvin from Quebec, and Gilles Barrieau and Marc Campbell from the Maritimes. I look forward to welcoming you all to the west coast for the National Drivers Championship in March to compete against our own Western regional champion (who’ll be selected December 13th). South of the border, our American neighbours have named Maine native Jason Bartlett as their national representative. Congratulations Jason – we’ll see you in Norway!
Congratulations must also go out to the much-experienced Mike Tanner on being named executive vice-president of the United States Trotting Association, and to 22-year-old Johnathan McKinnon on winning his first lifetime drive with Mullet Man in Charlottetown. Cheers to you both on great accomplishments!
With any luck, 2009 will be filled with more accomplishments and more great miles. My thoughts are with every industry participant every day, but even more so now that we’re immersed in this season of love and joy. I know we’re all eager to move forward in the New Year, so let’s make it happen – together.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Until next year.