It is harness racing at it's very best Friday afternoon at Saint John's Exhibition Park Raceway. Horse Racing New Brunswick, it's partners and sponsors present a ten dash action packed race card.
Post time is slated for 4:30 P.M and features the lucrative Maritimer stake for three-year-old fillies, plus the Milton Downey and the Jim Doherty Memorial.
Friday's Maritimer stake has attracted ten of the best fillies in Atlantic Canada. They will race in two elimination heats with the top eight coming back for a winner take all final. Co-sponsored by the New Brunswick Standardbred Owner's Association, the event has a total purse of over $ 22,000.
Locally owned filly Howmacscanasta has been listed as one of the favorites in her elimination.
Two memorial races will recognize two great New Brunswick horsemen on the program. Milton Downey and Jim Doherty will be honored in two separate races on Friday afternoon.
Both men were ambassadors and pioneers in the industry here in New Brunswick and their families and supporters will be on hand to remember the two gentleman.
In the Milton Downey Memorial, co-sponsored by Steve Downey and family, five pacers will square off for a purse of $4000. Starcastic whop ships in from P.E.I for the event, has been listed as the 3-1 favorite. New Brunswick's Gilles Barrieau will drive the pacer from post-five.
Meanwhile, the Jim Doherty Memorial will go with a solid field of five pacers for a purse of $ 2100 and showcases one of Atlantic Canada's best three-year-old's, Jackson K Down.
Kathy-MacLean Harvey, President of Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to thank all the horsemen who will be here on Friday, the fans, and the generous sponsors who supported the highly anticipated racing card.
Sponsors include the Saint John Exhibition Association, N.B.S.B.O.A, Steve Downey, Fredericton Horsemen Association, Rick Armstrong, Dairytown Veterinary Hospital, Peter and Paul Doherty.
Special thanks to the Saint John Exhibition Association for not only sponsoring one of Friday's races but contributing $4000 to enhance the afternoon's purse offerings.