Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Though most racing venues are still cold and a bit gray, if not white, with snow, spring truly is just around the corner if matinee season is upon us. Many training centers and fairgrounds host educational matinees for their resident trotters and pacers. Some races are charted, some are not, and while there is no wagering, the public is often invited to get a look at horses who may end up being the sport’s top performers.

Spring Garden Ranch at 900 Spring Garden Ranch Road, off Highway 17 in DeLeon Springs, Florida will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a matinee at 11 am. Admission is free and breakfast and lunch will be served at Kelli’s Restaurant on the grounds. There is limited seating and visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets to watch the races. For more information, call 877-985-5654, www.springgardenranch.com. The track is about 45 miles from Orlando and 25 miles from Daytona.

A bit further north, it will be no day for fooling in Pinehurst, North Carolina on April 1 when opening ceremonies for the 58^th edition of matinee races at the Pinehurst Harness Track begin. Matinee races, for equine education purposes only, start at 1:30 and there will be eight races of five horses each. Tailgating spots are sold out, but all are welcome with a $5 admission fee. Concessions will be available and will benefit a local therapeutic riding program. Pinehurst, in Moore County, is a hotbed of equine activity and home to virtually back-to-back golf courses. It has been a winter home for trotters and pacers since 1915.

In Hawkinsville, Georgia, the Lawrence Bennett Training Facility at 873 Route 2 hosts the central event of the Hawkinsville Harness Festival on April 14 at 2 pm. The event annually draws close to 4,000 people. Admission is $5 per person for the 10 race card, some of which are officially charted races. The track has bleachers, along with BBQ vendors, pony rides, kiddie games and door prizes. The races are preceded by a parade at 1 pm, which features the Harness Festival Queen.Fotr more information, call them at 478-892-9463 or email is harnesstrainingcentergeorgia@yahoo.com.

Northern climes hold their matinees later in the season with Goshen Historic Track in Goshen, New York, making a habit of it on June 2, 9 and 16 at 1 pm. Goshen is about 90 minutes from New York City and adjacent to the Harness Racing Museum at 240 Main Street. Historic Track has a grandstand and concessions. The Museum will be open all those days with admission $7.50 for adults ($5.50 for seniors and USTA members), kids are $3.50 and those under age five are free. The number at Historic Track is 845-294-5333.

Capping off the matinee season, the horsemen at the Iowa County Fairgrounds in Mineral Point, Wisconsin put on a matinee day on June 24 at 1 pm. There will be 14 races and prize drawings throughout the day. Admission is free with grandstand seating. The fairgrounds is located at 900 Fair Street in Mineral Point. For more information, call 608-987-1670.