The historic Gold Cup & Saucer Race is still scheduled to go to post on Saturday, Aug. 22 although it may look a bit different this year.
Festivals and exhibitions across the province were cancelled on Monday due to the ongoing pandemic and even though Old Home Week was one of them, Red Shores is still proceeding with plans to host a program of harness racing from Aug. 13-22 as per normal, thanks to the green light from the public health office.
The difference this year is that because of the restrictions around the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain), Red Shores can’t say right now when, or if, spectators will be allowed in. As of right now, live racing is scheduled to return to P.E.I., at Red Shores in Charlottetown on Thursday, June 4, although people will have to watch it online.
“We were able to secure live racing, without spectators, on June 4. That’s huge,’’ said Lee Drake, manager of marketing and brands for Red Shores. “We’re the first standardbred race track in North America to be able to do that.
And, the signature race, which is sponsored by The Guardian, has grown so big over the decades that horses come from all over North America to compete. Where they’ll be permitted to come from this year will all depend on travel restrictions.
“There will be many scenarios on the table,’’ Drake said, adding that it could mean going ahead with a race open to only Maritime horses or even a P.E.I.-only scenario.
“Can you imagine the buzz of an Island horse or an Island connection winning the Gold Cup & Saucer and being a part of history?’’
There have been countless memorable names and races over the years with P.E.I. connections. Joe Smallwood drove Island-owned Saul’s Pride to the winner’s circle in 1980 and 1982 while Island driver Earl Smith entered the history books with Pownal Bay Matt in 2008.
“It’s not ideal but nothing is ideal right now. We’re a very creative team (at Red Shores) and we’re looking for ways to be able to pull this race off.’’
Regardless of whether physical distancing restrictions keep the doors locked to spectators, and prevent the big-name horses from coming in, Drake expects the viewership online, where all races are streamed on the Red Shores website, to be off the charts.
“(People) are just screaming for sporting content and we have an opportunity to showcase not only this race but we would like . . . to showcase many things about Prince Edward Island and tell our story.’’
Drake no decisions have been made yet as to the fate of this year’s Governor’s Plate in Summerside.
"I’m sure there would be many people willing to get in and just be part of it because of what we’ve been through the last eight to 10 weeks.’’
Parade status unknown
The fate of this year’s Gold Cup Parade is still up in the air.
Ray Murphy, chairman of the parade committee, said Tuesday a final decision hasn’t been made yet but expects one in the next two weeks to a month.
“There has been no final decision. It’s still on the agenda,’’ Murphy said, adding that it depends on what the province’s chief public health officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, and Premier Dennis King have to say in the immediate future.
Festivals and exhibitions across the province were cancelled on Monday, including Old Home Week in Charlottetown, but one big event — the Gold Cup & Saucer Race week-long card is still scheduled to proceed.
Murphy said even if the parade goes ahead somehow it will look a lot different based on the current inter-provincial travel restrictions. A lot of entries come in from out of province and have to be booked well in advance.
And, physical distancing restrictions make it challenging for people to come out and watch.
“Correct (and) the population is going to be down,’’ Murphy said, referring to tourists. “It’s a different model.’’
Murphy said if they have to rely on and P.E.I.-only-type event, they’ll be ready.
“We do have a template. There are certain people we can count on to get a basic (model of) participants. I’m sure there would be many people willing to get in and just be part of it because of what we’ve been through the last eight to 10 weeks.’’
