Circle the Course to hit track in Fort Erie
Weekend event a fundraiser for cancer society
People will get another chance to walk around the historical border oval this weekend in support of cancer research and the local food bank. Fort Erie Race Track is hosting the seventh annual Circle the Course fundraiser on Sept. 2.
Over the past six years, the event has raised more than $30,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, and has also filled a horse trailer each year with food for COPE. This year, the event will hit even closer to home, after a longtime track employee died from cancer.
“Our Circle the Course fundraiser is an important event that allows us to give back to our community,” said Antonietta Culic, manager of marketing and media relations at the track. “We recently lost an employee of 40 years to a courageous battle with cancer. This event has always meant a lot to our staff and horse people, but it feels far more important this year after saying goodbye to one of our own.”
Non-perishable food items are being accepted for the Community Outreach Program of Fort Erie (COPE), and fun activities are happening throughout the day in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, including the jockey hopper ball races. After horse racing ends, fans are invited to walk the track in memory of a loved one, or in support of survivors and those still fighting.
The race card that day will feature the Puss N Boots Cup, named after a horse that jumped the rail and splashed into the infield pond during a race in 1961. It has since become a tradition that the winning connections from the Puss N Boots Cup make the same jump into the pond after the races.
Fort Erie Race Track will also be donating all program sales that day to the Canadian Cancer Society. Horse racing begins at 1:20 p.m., with the walk taking place immediately after the final race, at about 4:30 p.m.