by Jessica Carnochan, for Clinton Raceway

Clinton, ON — For those patiently awaiting the sounds of thundering hooves down the home stretch, shouts of encouragement at the wire, and the scrumptious smell of the trackside BBQ, the sights and sounds of live racing at Huron County’s oval are just around the corner.

This Sunday (May 20) the 2018 season of live harness racing gets underway in Clinton, Ontario. The 15-week season, running through Labor Day Sunday (Sept. 2), kicks off with the annual Central Huron Secondary School fundraiser, $2 t-shirts and of course the fun and excitement of games and prize winning with the Super Sunday Show between the races. A special memorial race will be held during the card for recently passed, long time trainer Rick Forgie.

Once again, the Day at the Races fundraising program will be in full swing, seeing a different group bringing their cause to the track each Sunday. This year we’re working with a few new groups. Our application process was an intense one this year. We only have so many dates, and it’s becoming a very popular program.

New this year are Victim Services, Huron Residential Hospice, The Tanner Steffler Foundation, BCH Minor Hockey and the Lake Huron Pony club to name a few. We’re also working on a Horses and Hops event, featuring local craft breweries, and our Trackside Local Market which will be set up three Sundays during the season.

Main events headed back to the track for 2018 are the Kin Pace (Sunday July 8), as well as the third annual Vic Hayter Memorial Race Day on Sunday (July 22). The season will close out with the 38th annual Charity Driver’s Challenge on Sunday (Sept. 2).

For a full listing of events at Clinton Raceway this summer, visit www.clintonraceway.com.