‘Team Allard’ Yearling Giveaway Held

The first annual Team Allard Yearling Giveaway is now in the books. Trainer Rene Allard was the leading conditioner in terms of wins and UTR at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 2017. To celebrate, ‘Team Allard’ has shown its generosity.

Dave Erickson was the lucky grand prize winner. He has won five per cent of a yearling with Team Allard, with no gimmicks, no purchase fees, and no expenses or bills. Erickson’s only hardship is to pick either My Sweet Memory (A Sweet Lou filly) or Bettors Account (a Bettors Delight colt), the two yearlings selected to choose from.

Eight consolation prizes were also offered to anyone that signed up, including a set of Tim Tetrick Racing colours, a gift bag from the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program; a Team Allard custom winter jacket, Brian Sears Hall of Fame memorabilia, and much more. All of the winner’s names will be available at teamallard.com.

The bottom line is that Erickson has never owned a horse, and now he does. He lives in Niagara Falls, and is within driving distance to many racetracks. It’s never too late to get involved in harness racing, and now Erickson has a reason to bring all of his friends and family to the racetrack and learn all about the sport.

In an interview after accepting his award, Allard was excited about the yearling giveaway, and looking forward to doing it again next year. “It gives everybody a chance to get part of it, and we like to give back to the sport we love,” he said.

About his 2017 leading trainer award at Pocono, Allard was equally emotional. He accepted the award with his parents and brother, Simon, at his side, along with members of Team Allard. “Growing up, I dreamed about racing horses, never mind getting those kind of trophies,” said Rene, who praised his team and conveyed that it is much more than Rene Allard that contributed to the award.

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono will close out its 2017 season this Saturday (November 25).

(With files from Pocono Downs)