SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Awards season will be upon us soon enough before the start of the 2019 racing season, as evident by the Prince County Horsemen’s Club announcing its upcoming banquet.
The association’s annual awards banquet and dinner will take place on Friday, April 5, with two-time world driving champion Jody Jamieson serving as this year’s special guest speaker.
Jamieson, a Truro, N.S., native who grew up in the Ontario racing scene, captured the 2001 and 2011 World Driving Championships while representing Canada. Holder of the all-time dash win title in a single season, Jamieson boasts career statistics of 7,800 wins and $126 million in purse earnings.
The banquet will take place at the Credit Union Place in Summerside, with the social hour to start at 6 p.m. and the meal and awards ceremonies commencing at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 each and tables of eight are available with all seating to be assigned.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting Lynn Whitlock (902-964-3346), Brenda MacInnis (902-439-8319), Donnie Milligan (902-303-0634), Russell Noonan (902-432-0323) or Kingsley Walsh (902-432-4121).
Across The Continent
Veteran trotter Catch The Dream was a winner in 1:57.2 Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont. Phil Hudon was in the bike for trainer Bruce MacDonald and owner Dan MacIsaac of Charlottetown. The victory in the $14,000 event was the 42nd of the horse’s career to give him $819,000 in lifetime earnings.
Island-owned Elm Grove Kaboom was a winner in 1:56.3 in a $5,200 overnight event Sunday at Flamboro Downs in Dundas, Ont. Brett MacDonald handled the lines for new trainer Terry Gallant and owners Larry and Kathy Chappell of Marshfield. Gallant moved his stable from Summerside in late 2018 to race the Ontario circuit, acquitting himself well since leaving.
Wednesday at Western Fair Raceway in London, Ont., Summer City Nate was a winner in a $5,700 race for his second straight victory for owner Eric Johnston of Summerside. Gallant also handles the training duties. Gallant has won 11 of 40 training starts and banked more than $46,000 from his stable in 2019.
A force on the open mares circuit in 2018, Dustlanemissmolly has been sold to the U.S. by owner Jackie Heffernan of Summerville. The Brandon’s Cowboy mare was entered to qualify Thursday at Saratoga Raceway in New York.
Nicholas Oakes' column appears in The Guardian each Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].
