Nigh at the Races - A Winner

“Ted Towers” Night at Fraser Downs Harness Racing track in Cloverdale was a great success. The event was attended by 25 club members and friends of Rotary.  A multi course buffet was enjoyed in the clubhouse.  The mysteries of betting on the races was explained and a few wagers made. Terms such as win, place and show were explained. Exactor and Triactor remained a mystery to most. Strategies including wagering on the horse’s name, colour or number were tried.  All tactics seemed equally unreliable.

A few dollars may even have been made.

The 7th race was the Rotary Club of Ladner race. The winning horse was ‘Promising Girl’. The driver was Jim Marino and the trainer was Scott Knight. President Ray presented the trainer with an embroidered horse blanket in the winner's circle.

Special thanks to Mike and Cathy Storey for organizing this great fellowship event.

The Rotary Club of Ladner has a long connection to harness racing. In 1964 the club had its first major fundraiser at Paterson Park Track, with Delta Raceways. Club members staffed the admission gates for the harness races for many years beginning in 1964. Past President, Ted Towers (1961) was a poster of Rotary’s involvement in Paterson Park track.

The history of modern harness racing goes back to colonial America, when roads were improved enough so that a light carriage could be driven with some speed. This early means of transportation grew into the sport of harness racing, which gained status as a major North American sporting event. The earliest competitions were between ordinary farmers, who had a natural curiosity about whose farm horse could go faster.

Almost all North American races are at a distance of one mile (1,609 m). Track size plays an important part; on the commonly-used 1/2- and 5/8-mile tracks early speed is important, while the long stretch run of a mile track favours horses who come from behind. Usually, several drivers will contend for the lead away from the gate. They then try to avoid getting "boxed in" as the horses form into two lines – one on the rail and the other outside – in the second quarter-mile. They may decide to go to the front; to race on the front on the outside ("first over", a difficult position); or to race with "cover" on the outside.
Unlike Thoroughbreds, harness horses accelerate during the final quarter-mile of a race. The finish of a harness race is exciting, and often extremely close. The judges have a photo-finish camera to help them determine the order of finish if needed.

 

Promising Girl - in the winners circle
Paterson Park - 1968