FRASERVILLE – Mike Wade, who has raced horses at Kawartha Downs for many years, celebrated his hometown track’s 44th anniversary with a milestone of his own Saturday – his 500th victory as a harness racing trainer.
In the fifth race on the card Rick Webb drove Wade’s three-year-old pacing filly Elegant Gift to a two length 1:59 score to record the milestone. Wade, who is best known for such standout performers as Billyjojimbob, Corn Cob Conch, Winning Breed, Im No Walton, etc., conditions the Shadow Play daughter for Hutt Racing Stable, Pa.
It was the first of three wins on the night for Webb who won the following race with Tough Get Going and visited the winner’s circle with Cougar Gal. Reg Gassien and Tony Kerwood each notched driving doubles.
A large crowd was on hand to celebrate the Fraserville oval’s birthday. The Hie family, who have raced in this area since well before Kawartha Downs introduced live harness racing in 1972, provided a myriad of items for KD fans to enjoy including the colours of patriarch Cliff, his sons Carman and Doug (who both raced horses Saturday), the late Roger and granddaughter Krissy as well as photos and newspaper stories.
Racing returns to Kawartha next Saturday with a 7 p.m. start.