The folks at Reargear Productions have just released their great documentary on Old Home Week called Exhibition Drive. It’s simply a fantastic presentation of what harness racing means to the people of PEI and their participation in it. It may be the best depiction of what the sport is all about. I have ever seen and I’ve seen many. Set around Old Home Week 2011 and the Gold Cup & Saucer - once watched you’ll never wonder again why the Island is called the Kentucky of Canada. Jason Arsenault, Director/Producer and Jeremy Larter, Producer, have truly captured the essence of our love affair with horses and why we are so gripped by the traditions of Old Home Week. Watching it, you’re going to see lots of familiar faces and places. The guys have not only done harness racing a great service they’ve done the same for our history. There’s talk of a presentation of the hour-long documentary in a theatre setting soon, but in the meantime watch it here: www.exhibitiondrive.com.
Can you say 2012 O’Brien Media Award? You betcha!
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I think you’ll also enjoy an old CBC 20/20 program about PEI racing called Canada’s Kentucky. It’s been released as part of their celebration of the corporation’s 75th anniversary. Originally it aired on the network in 1963 and will bring back many fond memories, especially for the older folks. Watch it here. CBC 75th Anniversary - CBC in 75 - 20/20 : Canada’s Kentucky.
In fact, it’s amazing to view the two together. Terrific stuff.
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Last Saturday at the ‘Charlottetown Driving Park’ the big story was the Bet. $32,251 folks – that’s OHW numbers or close to. In January? Unbelievable! Congrats to all involved, the fans, owners, trainers, drivers, grooms, and the ALC team, especially race manager Brett Revington and marketing and sales guru Lee Drake. It really has to be satisfying to both, to see these kinds of results so late in the year. Ronnie Matheson wired the field and led at every pole with son Jackie’s trainee Oakrock Almighty in the Feature. Nice trip too in 1:58.2. Downhome winners included Jordan Hicken’s Pan Cushion in :59.2, Austin and Macy Sorrie’s Tanks Alot in 2:00.1 and the Kathy Furness owned Zanzibar – 1:58.3. A shout out here as well to longtime friend Brenda MacGuigan. Her son and partner Mike guided their Diesel Seelster to an opening dash win in 2:04.2. Mike also had two wins on the program and Papa Barney a training win. I’d allow a little partying went on at the MacGuigan barn Saturday evening. Other winners and owners on the program included:
Acton O So Royal –
Wayne Pike
Island Jazzy Star –
Stacey Lund & Garry Chappell
Napanee Seelster –
Danny MacDonald, Phil Pitts, Bill Andrew
C J Bluefin – Bluefin Stable
Modern X Ample – David Kent
Porthill Alf – Marvin Webster
Casual Motion – Joey Pineau
PL Betterway – Neal, Jonah
& Ed Moase
Keystone Dimitri –
Audrenne Matheson &
Mike Pollard.
This Saturday puts a wrap on the season till April. Post Time 1pm.
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Speaking of O’Brien Awards, a large Island contingent will be in Toronto on Saturday night, as presentations are made to those judged to be Canadian harness racing’s top performers of 2011. The focus of attention from Islanders everywhere will be on Marc Campbell, a finalist along with Alberta’s Keith Clark for the Horsemanship Award. Campbell has had a career year as Atlantic Canada’s top driver and we wish him the best of luck Saturday night.
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The recent Meadowlands January mixed sale certainly has provided Islanders lots to talk about. Primarily with the purchase of Aled Hanover from the stable of heavy hitter John Fielding of Ontario. Kensington trainer Alex Sobey acting as agent for Ron Hall paid $90,000 for the gelding. Aled Hanover has been off for a while, but qualified at Mohawk prior to the sale in 1:56.4. Can you say Gold Cup & Saucer bound?
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It was good news as well for Maritime trotting fans, to learn that Meridian Farms has purchased a new stud for PEI. He’s the Credit Winner-sired 4-year-old Neal. The harness racing update analysts called him one of the better colts in his freshman season in 2010. He earned almost $280K that year and took a mark of 1:54.4. Neal is from a great family and his dam is a full sister to Broadway Hall. He’s bred in the purple and should make a fine addition to the region’s stallion trotting roster. On a side note, Bill Andrew says they are also looking for a Saturday night horse, that can race with the big boys at Woodbine/Mohawk and perhaps a free-for-aller or two for downeast as well. Stay tuned.

No doubt by this time with all the advance PR, you know there is a benefit and auction for Gilles Barrieau on February 4 at EPR. New Brunswick’ top driver was hurt in a racing accident this past October at Truro and re-injured when kicked by a colt later in the fall. There’s too many items in the auction to list, but they will be posted on the HRNB website here www.hrnb.ca. It’s also planned to live stream the event on the website and for further info you can call Sandra Foley at 506-454-3415 or Dave MacLean at 506-343-6484.
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Had a press release from Pompano Park recently reminding us that Wally Hennessey is about to reach the 8,000 win plateau. This will make him one of only 25 drivers in the history of harness racing to accomplish the feat. Quite a career for the native Islander and one that’s seen him inducted into three Halls of Fame, including PEI’s, that of the US in Goshen NY and the hall at his home track Pompano Raceway, Florida.
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I’m shocked! Shocked I tell you (with apologies to Claude Raines) about the complaints and the fuss regarding that supposed racing symposium in Truro. Some of the of the local press showed up to take it in, but found most of the sessions were closed to the public. Oh sure, the Standardbred Canada types, Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission reps and a few select insiders made the cut, but even some of the most important players in the region weren’t informed about the event. Personally I don’t know why people were surprised. This was all about the movers and shakers, who think they run Maritime racing. Why would the peons be invited?
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Horses for Courses:
Wednesday of last week at Flammy, Jim MacPhail’s Cactus Jack was a winner in 1:55.3. On Thursday Proven Lover won in 1:59.1 for Tignish’s Casey Gavin, while Wildcat Carolyn was picture perfect in 2:03 for Jen Trainor. On the same card Victory Creed made it two in a row for owner Bill Andrew and driver Brandon Campbell. Mile went in 1:56.4 and the horse was claimed for $10K.
Wednesday at Western Fair saw Tommy Collings Lasting Impression come home a winner in 2:02.4.
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Tip O’ The Whip – to Reargear Productions of course – no one else is even close.

Questions/Comments? hal.al@sympatico.ca