Grand week of racing on tap

Truro Raceway will be the destination spot for horse lovers and harness racing enthusiasts from July 13 to 22 for the 36th edition of Atlantic Grand Circuit Week.

Envisioned and created on the desks of then- GM, Brent Macgath and race secretary, Joe Kelly, AGCW has grown into the largest harness racing celebration in Nova Scotia and one of the most anticipated weeks in Atlantic Canada.

This week and into the next will see the fastest horses and best drivers in Eastern Canada put on breathtaking harness racing shows from gate to wire.

Friday night’s opening action includes eight dashes and gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

Qualifying rounds are set for 5:15 pm.

Fillies and mares series

Opening night of AGCW features Wilsons Home Heating Fillies and Mares Series with 14 starters in two divisions of seven, in Races 3 and 6. Each race carries a purse of $ 1,400. The $ 4,600 final is slated for Thursday, July 19.

Fresh stock

Friday evening’s card has programmed visiting horsemen with fresh stock, including Ulysse Gallant, of Cocagne, N. B. with Cocagne Johnny T; Laughamile, owned by James Whelan Jr., P. E. I., out of the Dave Carey camp, and Joseph Poirier shipping in with Rocky Western, Prada Spur and Articulate Barb out of Cape Breton. Locally, the Kurt Harper stable will be sending out a new acquisition, Shes The Trouble, a three- year- old filly out of St. Hughes, Que.

Missing from action

Truro Raceway’s leading teamster, Darren Crowe, will be missing from the lineup on the upcoming Friday night card, as he will be campaigning at Red Shores Summerside Lobster Carnival event in the Atlantic Sires Stakes filly division.

The road to the Exhibition Cup

Truro Raceway is preparing for the 31st edition of Truro’s signature event – the $ 7,500 Lindsay Constructionsponsored Exhibition Cup Invitational, which is slated for Saturday, July 21.

50-50 winner

July 6 – Donna Crocket, Truro ($995.50)

Lucky numbers

Standardbred Canada statistics reveal that out of 111 starts, post position 1 won 24 times or 21.6 per cent, while out of 110 starts, post position 2 won 21 times or 19.1 per cent. An interesting stat is that post position 4 won 20 times for 18.2 per cent.

Simulcast racing

Race goers will be pleased to learn that regular simulcast programming has returned to the Douglas Grandstand on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays. Harness and thoroughbred action from the finest tracks in North America will be televised. Complete details and times are available on the Truro Raceway website or by picking up a monthly schedule from the staff in the grandstand.

The Truro Horsemen’s Club remains a viable option for Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the self- serve machine in operation.

AGCW schedule

Friday, July 13, 6: 30 p. m. – Wilson’s Home Heating Fillies & Mares Eliminations

Thursday, July 19, 6: 30 p. m. – Atlantic Sires Stakes for twoand three-year-old trotters

Wilson’s Home Heating Fillies & Mares Finals

High Maintenance Hair Salon Amateur Race

Friday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. – Atlantic Sires Stakes for two-yearold pacing fillies and colts

Saturday, July 21, 6: 30 p. m. – Atlantic Sires Stakes for threeyear-old pacing colts

Lindsay Construction Exhibition Cup Invitational and Atlantic Aged Pacing Mares

Sunday, July 22, 12: 15 p. m. – Frank & Beth Stanfield Memorial Stake – three- year- old pacing fillies

Top of the Turn special

July 13 – Potato skins and chicken fingers, including tea/ coffee and dessert, $15.95.