Dresden Raceway has booming Canada Day opener
July 2, 2014,from Dresden Raceway
Dresden, ON — Dresden Raceway kicked off its 2014 season with a bang on Tuesday (July 1). Almost 2,000 people swarmed to the local oval for a great family day of harness racing and celebration.
Just a few short months ago the death bell seemed to be ringing for the small half-mile track in Southwestern Ontario but it was alive and vibrant on Tuesday.
“I was really happy with opening day, I wasn’t sure what to expect coming here,” said Greg Blanchard, who is in his first year as General Manager of Dresden Raceway. “I knew the history here at Dresden, I knew there was a rich tradition of harness racing and a big fan base. It was validating and I think it bodes well for the summer.”
Patrons flocked to the windows and bet a total handle of C$30,360, which ranks among one of the best opening days in the past few years at Dresden Raceway.
The 10-race card in the community that has had harness racing for 140 years highlighted a great Canada Day celebration.
Alfie Carroll, Robert Sparling Jr. and Scott Wray all cashed in driving doubles on the day.
Carroll opened the card by driving Coffee Black to the winner’s circle and then struck again in the ninth race with Twin B Shasta. Sparling scored his first victory in the second race aboard Electricintentsions and won again in the 10th with Unique Shuffle. Wray went wire-to-wire with Sachertorte in the fourth race for his first win of the day, then capped the double in the sixth race with Kesons Reign.
Dresden Raceway has always been owned by the Dresden Agricultural Society but has been operated by Windsor Raceway for the last 20 years until this year when the Ag Society took control back.
Blanchard said, “We’ve got some promotions planned for the track this year and we hope to set a benchmark that will keep people coming back with quality racing and family friendly giveaways all season long.”
Dresden Raceway will race every Sunday until Labor Day (except the Civic Holiday and Labor Day weekends in which case they race Monday). Post time all summer long at Dresden Raceway is 1 p.m.