Racing At Port Elgin In NB This Sunday

Published: August 16, 2017 02:09 pm EDT

Harness Racing will return to Port Elgin, New Brunswick this Sunday (August 20), as the organizers of the Port Elgin Exhibition will present a matinee card for the finale of the 2017 Ex. This year's edition of the traditional six-dash card will feature the Ramblinglily Pace, sponsored by connections Allan Jones, Riverview and Normand Leger, Shediac.

The seven-year-old Ramblinglily is a top open mare in Atlantic Canada that is closing in on $164,000 in career earnings. She was recorded 54 lifetime victories and holds a mark of 1:54.4 that was taken over Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park. Sunday’s program also features a ladies amateur driving challenge and two new events for 2017 – the Friends of Harness Racing New Brunswick Pace and a fan-favourite, trotters-only class.

Established in 1896, the picturesque track continued to present race card until July 17, 1957. The track record of 2:01 flat has stood since 1996. The track record is held by Prince Lee Steady, who was owned by Tony Piers of Shubenacadie, NS. Prince Lee Steady was driven by Rod Jamieson in the record mile.

Backstretch buzz confirms that connections shipping in to participate in this year’s meet include Jim Ripley (of Amherst), Clayton Stevens (Pugwash), Dave Carey and Heather Gatti (Truro), Rocky Irons (Pugwash), Ambyr Campbell (PEI), Rick, Judy and Luke Armstrong and Harold Defazio (Saint John), and Austin Sorrie (PEI). Port Elgin native Terry Oulton will also send out couple of horses during the program.

Sponsors and donators supporting this years event include D R Polley Used Cars, J & P Farm Services, Scott and Diane Daniels, Terry Oulton, Todd Trites, Stefan and Colin DeCourcey in memory of Tony DeCourcey, Rene Allard Racing Stable Inc., Allan Jones and Normand Leger, Dawn Hubard -Ultimate Stable celebrating Dance Hanover’s retirement year, Rick and Judy Armstrong, Harness Racing New Brunswick, Jamie Ramsay (Jim’s Barber Shop & Ramsay Racing Stable – Truro), Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission and Frank Balcom in memory of Frank and Stella Balcom.

Organizers of the Port Elgin Matinee Race card will be celebrating, for the first time, a retired harness racing personality from New Brunswick that had previously campaigned in Port Elgin. This year’s selecton, Paul Breau, of Moncton, started in the sport during the glory years of racing in the 1960s and ended his career in 2008. The final tally shows that Paul logged 509 lifetime wins and drove his mounts to $327,845 in purses.

The Port Elgin Raceway facility boasts a full canteen, washrooms, free parking on site, 50-50 and special prize draws. An open invitation is extended to racegoers to visit the stables to meet the horses and talk with the owners, trainers and drivers. Fans are invited to bring a lawn chair or stand trackside to catch the action.

Admission for adults is $5, while students can get in for $3. Children aged five and under are free. Admission includes one complimentary race program per car or family.

First-race post time will be at 2:00 p.m. The exhibition is located on Park Street. For more information, call 506-538-2326 or 902-667-8970.

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