Harness racing back on track
Northside Downs opens Saturday for the 2020 season
NORTH SYDNEY — Harness-racing fans who’ve been chomping at the bit to get back to the track can return to the grandstand at Northside Downs this weekend.
But perhaps nobody is more excited about returning to the half-mile oval at the Cape Breton County Exhibition Grounds on Regent Street in North Sydney than Mark Pezzarello.
Last year’s top driver, Pezzarello was in the winner’s circle 35 times last season. And when the season finally begins Saturday, there’s one horse in particular he’s looking forward to climbing into the sulky behind.
“Wildcat Jet. He’s a crazy horse but I actually enjoy driving him.”
“He acts up a lot, I guess. He's really hard to get to the starting gate — he just starts throwing his head. He's a nutcase, really, but I enjoy it. He's fun. He gives me something to enjoy out there,” said Pezzarello, 40, a New Waterford native who now lives in Lingan.
Willie Seymour, president of the Cape Breton Horse Owners Association, said the seven-dash card, which begins at 1 p.m., will be the first of about 22 at the track this season after the first five events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he said that depends on the co-operation of the spectators.
People must still follow social-distancing requirements. That means the seating capacity will be cut in half, so people may want to bring lawn chairs to keep apart from others. The track is also offering onsite wagering and fans are encouraged to stay outside or in their vehicles as much as possible. And patrons are encouraged to use betting vouchers to limit the amount of money changing hands.
Parking close to the track fence will also not be permitted so there can be at least 25 feet between vehicles to allow for fans to stay six feet apart while watching the races.
“If everybody socialdistances, we'll be fine,” said Seymour, a trainer from Glace Bay who owns or co-owns three horses: Putnams Power, Southwind Ricardo and Don't Be A Hero.
He added that Cape Breton has a tightly knit harnessracing community and people he's spoken to are looking forward to once again watching area standardbreds go through their paces on the local circuit.
“The people who go to the races every week develop friendships at the track,” Seymour said. “Now they're going to get to redevelop and rekindle those friendships.” Pezzarello agreed.
The veteran driver, who once won 102 races while competing in Ontario, said he was ecstatic when he learned he'll be holding the reins on five of the 41 horses this weekend, including the temperamental Wildcat Jet, who is owned by Brian O'Donnell and won the award for mostimproved horse last year.
“I've never been happier. I was excited. It was taking too too long,” said Pezzarello. “I love driving horses — it's my happy place.”