Our Girl Annie Prevails In Maritimer; Campbell Celebrates Milestone

Our Girl Annie and driver Corey MacPherson prevailed in a photo finish to take the featured $23,600 Maritimer Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies on an action-packed Friday (Aug. 4) at Woodstock Raceway NB.

MacPherson worked out a perfect pocket trip for favourite Our Girl Annie, following Singing Ramona (Marc Campbell) through fractions of :30.1, :59.4 and 1:29.3 over the 'good' track before catching her foe at the wire. Our Girl Annie prevailed in 1:59 by a neck in the photo finish to earn her third straight stakes win for trainer Eddy Doucette. Woodmere Jade (Myles Heffernan Sr.) rounded out the triactor finishing 7-1/2 lengths behind.

Doucette trains the homebred Arthur Blue Chip filly, who is now 11-for-17 in her career and approaching the $100,000 mark in earnings, for Kensington, P.E.I. owners Blaine, Jessica and Jennifer Thibeau.

Earlier on the card, Marc Campbell celebrated a driving milestone after winning a pair of co-feature events with his own trainees. Freddie was victorious in the $4,000 John Davies Memorial Trot then Plain Jane won the $5,000 second leg of the Atlantic Aged Mares Pacing Series to help the Orwell, P.E.I. horseman reach 3,000 career wins in the sulky.

The popular veteran trotter Freddie fought off Marauder Seelster (Ivan Davies) and the Owen Davies-trained Gone Madigan (Todd Trites) in a 2:04 mile to prevail by half a length. Landon Campbell owns the 11-year-old Majestic Son gelding, who notched his 83rd career win.

Following up a victory in the first round of the Atlantic distaff series at Truro Raceway, favourite Plain Jane led most of the way to win the Standardbred Canada-sponsored second leg in 1:58.4 by 4-3/4 lengths over Therealprincess (Dr. Mitchell Downey), with Vines To Heaven (Trites) inheriting the show honours after Chelski (MacPherson) went on an extended break when challenging in the stretch. The five-year-old homebred daughter of Shadow Play is owned by Leigh and Faith Gavin of Tignish, P.E.I.

Campbell also drove the Luke Burke-trained mare D Gs Elsa to a 2:01 victory in the $2,500 Winners Over Pace to push his win count to 3,001. He moved the nine-year-old daughter of Shanghai Phil to the lead with a lap to go and kept Privilege (Trites) and favourite Winter Blast (MacPherson) at bay in her provincial debut for owner Robin Burke of Brackley, P.E.I.

American History and driver Dale Spence capped off the Friday card with a dominant score in the $8,000 Kelti Burnett Memorial Pace for owner Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B. Trained by MacKenzie Spence, the New Brunswick newcomer sailed through fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.4 en route to the 1:55.1 triumph over a pair of Jennifer Doyle trainees as No Plan Intended (MacPherson) and Mantario (Heffernan Sr.) circled three-wide from the backfield for the minor rewards. The eight-year-old millionaire son of American Ideal earned his 40th career win as he eyes a starting spot in the upcoming Gold Cup & Saucer.

Will 'History' Be Made Friday In Woodstock?

New Brunswick harness racing action resumes on Friday, Aug. 4 with a super stacked program beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B.

The program features the timeless classic, The Maritimer stakes, for three-year-old pacing fillies and the Kelti Burnett Memorial Invitational Pace. There will be $48,700 in purse money offered, including the $23,600 purse for the Maritimer, the $8,000 purse for the Burnett Memorial and two top overnight events. The John H. Davies Memorial Trot will go for $4,000 while the Standardbred Canada Mares Aged Pacing Series second leg goes for $5,000.

In the Burnett Memorial, all eyes will be on the newcomer, American History, who is owned by Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B. The eight-year-old son of American Ideal heads into Friday's contest fresh off a second-place effort at Woodbine Mohawk Park where he paced his own mile in 1:49.1. He is being prepped for an appearance in the prestigious Gold Cup and Saucer later this month at Red Shores Charlottetown.

American History will score from post four. Dale Spence picks up the driving assignment and his wife, Mackenzie, handles the training chores. He will have a steep test including the returning champ of the Burnett, Time To Dance and Marc Campbell, from post five.

The Burnett field also includes American Risk (Todd Trites), Mantario (Myles Heffernan), No Plan Intended (Corey MacPherson) and Pick A Genre (Mitchell Downey).

In the Maritimer, it looks to be a battle of fillies from post one and two. Our Girl Annie and Corey MacPherson rides a two-race win streak and has banked more than $38,000 this year. The Eddy Doucette trainee will leave from post two.

Singing Ramona, who has finished top three in seven of nine her races this year, will have the inside position with Marc Campbell driving for trainer Jamie Smith.

Lining up to their outside will be Silent Movie Star (Dale Spence), Howmac Jazzy Girl (Todd Trites) and Woodmere Jade (Myles Heffernan).

In the Standardbred Canada-sponsored Aged Mares Pacing Series, Plain Jane comes in fresh off an eye-catching series win at Truro Raceway in 1:53.1. She has the Maritime dash king Marc Campbell as trainer and driver and will leave from post two.

Therealprincess, driven by Mitchell Downey and trained by Ellen Stevenson, will look for a solid effort from post three. She was fourth in last week's Walter Dale Memorial racing against the boys.

Chelski will make her second start on Maritime soil off a second-place effort in her local debut, charted in 1:54.4. The Jennifer Doyle trainee has the inside post with MacPerson picking up the catch-drive.

Other starters in the second leg are Vines To Heaven (Todd Trites) and J J Breanne (John Davidson).

John H. Davies' two sons, Ivan Davies and Owen Davies, will both harness up starters in their dad's memorial race.

Todd Trites will drive the Owen Davies-trained and owned Gone Madigan from post three, while Ivan Davies will have the U.S. owned Marauder Seelster starting from post four.

They'll have last year's winner of the Davies Memorial Trot to contend with as 82-time winner Freddie will have post two for trainer/driver Campbell.

Rounding out the trotting event is Tequila Tuesday, who hopes Friday will be his night for trainer/driver Heffernan.

In total, eight races will be in store for the fans at Connell Park and Universum Media will have the program streamed on its official YouTube channel for fans that can't make it to the track on Friday.

Horse Racing New Brunswick Cancels Wednesday August 2nd Card

Horse Racing New Brunswick has announced Wednesday's scheduled card of harness racing at Connell Park Raceway has been cancelled. Friday's card of racing is still slated to go with an earlier post time of 5:30 PM, instead of 6:30 PM.

HRNB would like to thank all horsemen and women, as well as racing fans for their continued support.

Stash It Away Wins Walter Dale Invitational

Stash It Away and driver Mark Haig led all the way in the $8,000 Walter Dale Invitational Pace on Friday, July 28 at New Brunswick's Woodstock Raceway.

Leaving from post two in the featured finale, the 1-2 favourite Stash It Away was quickest off the gate, crossing to command in the first turn with insider Emperor (Jeff Lewis) hot on his heels through a :28.4 opening quarter.

As Stash It Away took the field of five to the half in :57.1, a gapped out Pick A Genre (Michael Downey) reeled in the top two and went first-over.

Stash It Away began to open up on top down the backstretch the final time with Emperor starting to tire in the two-hole, but Pick A Genre continued to advance outside, making it to the leader's wheel by three-quarters in 1:26.2.

However, Stash It Away kept that rival at bay as he turned for home then held off Mantario (Chris Davies) as that one surged through at the pylons down the lane. Stash It Away scored in 1:55 flat over a 'good' track, prevailing by three-quarters of a length over Mantario, with Pick A Genre third. Therealprincess (Sam Hodgin) was fourth with Emperor fading to fifth.

Kevin MacLean trains Stash It Away, who now sports a seasonal summary reading 3-4-1 from a dozen starts, for owner Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I. The four-year-old Pang Shui gelding notched his 17th career win in his 50th start and lifted his bankroll to nearly $130,000. He paid $3 to win.

In other action, Elm Grove Quest took the $2,500 Winners Over Pace in 1:57.2 after tracking stablemate J J Breanne (John Davidson) in the pocket. The favoured four-year-old daughter of Rollwithitharry closed inside to prevail in a three-across finish, edging out the oncoming Joe C One Fiveoh (Sam Hodgin) with J J Breanne settling for third. Allan Jones trains and shares ownership of the winner with Normand Leger of Shediac, N.B.

Walter Dale Update

The Walter Dale, which has been previously scheduled to go on June 17th, has been rescheduled for next Friday, July 28th. Post time for the first race is 6:30 PM.

Woodstock Cancels Friday Card

Due to torrential rain, thunder and lightning, the live harness racing card scheduled for Friday evening, July 7 at Woodstock Raceway in New Brunswick has been cancelled.

After consultation by all parties, the tough decision was made to cancel the card for the safety of participants.

Horse Racing New Brunswick has reported that the stakes race purse money will be evenly distributed to the starters.

Sophomores Battle In Barrieau - McIsaac Stakes Eliminations

Racing resumed in Woodstock, N.B. on Friday, June 30 with three-year-old pacers battling for a spot in the $37,000 Barrieau - McIsaac Stakes.

The top two finishers from three $6,000 eliminations along with a pair of third-place finishers drawn by lot will advance to the July 7 final. The other third-place finisher will start in the consolation.

Claude Poirier's homebred Starship Glyde (Patrick Shepherd) guaranteed his spot on the starting gate in the lucrative final with a two-minute mile in the first elimination, retaking the lead from Elm Grove Redwine (David Dowling) through the opening quarter and rebuffing first-over challenger Lookoveryour (Marc Campbell) to win by 1-1/2-lengths over those fillies. Earl Watts trains the Control The Moment-American Chocolate gelding, who has now won half of his 12 starts. Elm Grove Redwine shot up the inside to edge out favourite Lookoveryour for the runner-up honours.

Returning to the scene of her Dawn Bremner Memorial Stakes win earlier this month, Singing Ramona (David Dowling) took command from the inside post and held off the late rally of the popular gelding Bacononabiscuit (Marc Campbell) to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.1, with Woodmere Jade (Myles Hefferenan) third after recovering from her early miscue in the first turn and challenging for the lead down the backside. The homebred Sportswriter-Gilbird Hanover filly picked up her seventh career win from 17 starts for trainer Jamie Smith, who co-owns with Hubert MacDonald.

Trained and driven by Jason Hughes for owner Donald MacRae, Woodmere Dealer followed up his first stakes win in the Maritime Breeders last weekend at Charlottetown Driving Park with a 2:00.2 victory in the final Barrieau - McIsaac elimination. The Rollwithitharry-Very Ideal Hanover gelding cruised to a 1-3/4-length victory -- his seventh win from 20 starts -- over pocket-pursuer Howmac Charmer (Patrick Shepherd) and the wide-rallying filly Itsuptoyou (Mark Haig).

On the undercard, Privilege took the $2,500 Winners Over Pace by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:57.3 for his 25th career win with Todd Trites between the wheels for trainer George Rennison and owners Aiden Ferrisk and All For Fun Stable.

Singing Ramona, Starship Art Top Woodstock Card

Despite less than ideal weather conditions at Connell Park in Woodstock on Saturday afternoon (June 3), Horse Racing New Brunswick completed the first card of 10 scheduled dates for 2023.

Two divisions of the Dawn Bremner Memorial Stakes and one feature Winners Over Pace highlighted the six-race card on Saturday afternoon.

In the first Dawn Bremner Memorial Stakes, a $10,700 pace for three-year-old fillies, Singing Ramona and John Davidson took a five-length victory in 2:00.3.

Davidson was parked to the quarter in :29.1 as favoured Gosistersoulsister (Pierre-Luc Roy) had control of the five-horse field. At the half in :59.2, Singing Ramona took over and never looked back as she breezed past the three-quarters in 1:30.1 en route to her open-length triumph. Run For The Money (Mark Haig) was second and Gosistersoulsister finished third.

Trainer Jamie Smith co-owns Singing Ramona with Hubert MacDonald. The three-year-old daughter of Sportswriter and the Western Ideal mare Gilbird Hanover moves her career record to 6-3-3 in 15 starts. She paid $5.20 to win.

Starship Art (Patrick Shepherd) followed a similar route to the finish line as Singing Ramona after being parked to the quarter in :30.2 in the $10,700 Memorial Pace for three-year-old colts. Continuing the pattern, the son of Arthur Blue Chip was in control by the half in 1:01.3 and through the three-quarters in 1:32. Starship Art rounded the final turn and cruised to a 1-1/2 length victory in 2:01.4. Stablemate Howmac Charmer (Mark Haig) was second and Proudofyatoday (Keith Ford) finished third.

Earl Watts trains the winner of three races in four starts for owner Claude Poirier.

In the card finale, American Risk and Mark Haig went gate-to-wire to win the feature $2,500 Winners Over Pace by six lengths in 2:00. George Rennison trains the seven-year-old son for the Risky Bizz Group. American Risk has a career record of 29-17-18 in 96 starts to go along with $104,792 in career earnings.

New Era Of Racing Begins In Woodstock Saturday

Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will kick off a new era of racing at Connell Park in picturesque Woodstock, N.B. on Saturday, June 3. With the closing of Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John, the harness racing spotlight will shine brightly on Woodstock for 10 race dates this season.

Saturday’s marquee event will be the Dawn Bremner Stakes for three-year-old pacers. There will be two divisions of the Bremner Stakes, with each carrying a purse of $10,700. Post time for the six-dash program is 1 p.m.

Looking at the first division of the Bremner for fillies, it appears that there are multiple definitive win threats. Gosistersoulsister comes off a winning effort in 1:58.1 in last weekend's PEI Colt Stakes at Summerside Raceway for trainer Jamie Smith. Pierre-Luc Roy will pick up the catch-drive aboard the Arthur Blue Chip filly, who will leave from post two. Her stablemate, Singing Ramona, has been consistent this year, while the Myles Heffernan-trained Woodmere Jade is another one to watch.

In the second division for the colts and geldings, Starship Art looks to be the standout after an impressive 1:58.2 win in the PEI Colt Stakes for trainer Earl Watts. Starting from post three, Patrick Shepherd will drive the Arthur Blue Chip gelding, who went unraced as a two-year-old and has two wins and a second in three starts this year.

Saturday’s matinee card will also feature last year’s Horse of the Year at Truro, American Risk, who will have New Brunswick driver Mark Haig in the race bike. Owned by Risky Bizz Group, the George Rennison trainee will leave from post four in the top event for overnight horses. American Risk has been second in his first three starts this season. He will battle Emperor, Windsong Napoleon, Bay Bries and Moonwriter.

Horse Racing New Brunswick will host live harness racing at Connell Park on the following dates: June 3, June 17, June 30, July 7, July 28, Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Sept. 2, Sept. 16 and Sept. 24.

Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to thank its sponsors, volunteers and horsemen and women for supporting the new location at Woodstock. HRNB is extremely excited to bring more thrilling racing to the community of Woodstock.

To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Woodstock Raceway NB - Saturday Entries || Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT)

Horse Ownership Loan Program Launches In N.B.

May 2, 2023

Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) has announced a new initiative geared towards generating horse ownership in New Brunswick.

For the 2023 season, HRNB will offer a Horse Ownership Loan Program. Ten loans will be issued on a first come first serve basis. Criteria are listed below.

Horses purchased must be 10 years of age or younger
Ten loans are available - $2,500 for horses/geldings and $3,500 for fillies/mares
Mares that are retained for breeding in New Brunswick are eligible for the Breeders Grant Program ($2,000 paid upon production of first live foal)
Horses must race nine out of 10 race dates in Woodstock.
Fifty per cent of all purse monies won in New Brunswick will be retained by HRNB until loan is paid. Horses unsuccessful in earning the full balance in 2023 can carry it forward in 2024. Such circumstances, the balance of the loan is due in 2024.
Horses missing a start or scratched cannot race within eight days of a scheduled race date in New Brunswick (Woodstock) or else the balance of the loan is due in seven days.
Horses sold from the loan program will have balance of loan due to HRNB within seven days.
Loans will be issued to all parties on June 3, the opening day of racing in Woodstock, N.B.

It is HRNB's hope to continue this program in future years to build up the horse racing population.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Dr. Mitchell Downey in writing by emailing downeydvm@hotmail.com.

Final Saint John Card To Go Sunday

October 13, 2022

Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will close a chapter on harness racing in the once "Giant of Maritime Racing" on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Exhibition Park Raceway.

With the Saint John Exhibition Association not entering into a new lease with for 2023, horses have been asked to be off the premises by year end. This brings an end to racing in the city that has taken place for centuries.

The Exhibition Association declined an interview request with CBC earlier this week, issuing a statement that "the [Exhibition Association] Board has made the decision to position itself to be able to explore opportunities that may have the potential to make better use of the lands and facilities, thus providing a greater service to the greater Saint John community."

Horse Racing New Brunswick's President Brock McEachern confirmed to Trot Insider that HRNB made two offers that included increased rent, but the offers were declined by the Exhibition Association.

"They've never given us a reason why other than that one small statement that they're exploring new options," said McEachern. "They're ending 150 years of racing in Saint John without a why."

The final live card of racing in the Port City of Saint John is set for Sunday with the finals of the New Brunswick Breeders Stakes and memorial races for many Saint John iconic figures. There will be more than $58,000 in purse money doled out on the seven-dash program, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

Race two of the day is the $8,640 Peter & Jeanne Gray Memorial, the N.B. Breeders Stakes three-year-old colt final. Brumby, who will be driven by David Dowling, is the morning-line choice from the inside post. The Jamie Smith trainee, who won an earlier leg of the stakes back on May 14, will take on rivals Theodore J Down and Big Time Brawler.

Race six is the richest of the day with more than $32,000 in purse money in the two-year-old filly and colt final. Nannie Bernice goes in as the odds-on choice as she is riding a win streak of five and will start from post one. She dropped her lifetime record to 1:57.1 two starts ago for her regular driver John Davidson and trainer Janice Hubbard.

The final race of the afternoon will recognize one of Exhibition Park Raceway's pioneers with the $2,500 Ingham Palmer Memorial, which has been dubbed the High Atop the Grandstand Pace. Ing "The King" was track announcer and publicity director at Exhibition Park Raceway for decades, and is affectionately known as the "Dean of Maritime track announcers." He was known for his smooth delivery and had a majestic way of calling a horse race. American Risk, a pacer who has raced the Maritimes' best all season, will ship in from Nova Scotia for trainer George Rennison and has been listed as the one to beat by the oddsmaker. He will have the services of Todd Trites from post five.

There are a number of Exhibition Park well-known horsemen and women being remembered on the final card. Besides the aforementioned, there will be races in memory of Brian Moore, the Kirkpatrick family, Mac Lawson and Ken Atkinson.

Horse Racing New Brunswick extends its gratitude to those who are sponsoring coolers and to the horsemen and women who are taking part in not only this race card, but every one of the race cards over the years. Horse Racing New Brunswick hopes to continue racing in 2023 at another location in the province.

To view the entries for the final card of harness racing at EPR, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Exhibition Park Raceway.

(With files from Horse Racing New Brunswick)