We are well into our fall harness meet that runs through to Saturday, December 14. And now our attention turns to preparations for the 2003 racing season that opens with the usual spring harness schedule of 53 dates starting Friday, March 7.
For the first three weeks, the pacers will be on a Friday, Saturday schedule, followed by a three-day week. Then starting April 2, we will revert to the usual slate of Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The pacers will close their meet on the weekend of June 14-15 with the signature races: The Northlands Filly Pace and the Western Canada Pacing Derby.
The thoroughbreds will move in from Stampede Park on Friday June 20 and run 68 dates to October 18, though at this time there is some talk of closing on Thanksgiving day and picking up the lost days earlier in the season.
Also being speculated is a plan to ship the thoroughbred races on Wednesday evenings to Woodbine for simulcasting. The thoroughbred owners are excited about this prospect because it would be beneficial to the purse schedule. On other benefits to our substantial purses, this will be the first full year of having more than 500 slot machines in operation.
Meanwhile, Red Smith passes along some exciting news concerning his 2001 Alberta horse of the year, Fancy As. This sterling animal, which won the Alberta and Canadian Derbies that year among other successes, missed the entire 2002 season in Alberta as a result of injuries he suffered in a California campaign under noted conditioner Bob Baffert. Red is optimistic that his horse, who then will be five, will return to the races this spring at Calgary. He is in Arizona right now doing a lot of swimming to get back into shape,” Smith says. “All being well, we will have him back here for the rich handicaps (highlighted by the Speed to Spare).”
See you at the races!
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