It was a night of firsts for Leslie Holloway – his first time at the track, his first wager, and his first winning ticket.
Nothin’ to this, eh Les?
“Piece of cake,” he laughed, after claiming about $17 when the horse he picked crossed the finish line first in Race 1 of an 11-dash card on Friday, July 17 at Truro Raceway.
Friday’s action at the Bible Hill oval was part of Atlantic Grand Circuit Week – traditionally known as the biggest week of harness racing in Atlantic Canada. A crowd of about 300 attended the races on a warm and breezy evening.
Leslie, of Halifax, was there with his girlfriend Patty Heighton and her family. Patty is a little more familiar with the races, having followed her dad to tracks across the Maritimes while growing up.
The duo made their picks together and wasn't really strategic about it.
“He went by the names and the number,” Patty said, to which Leslie chimed: “If a horse had number six in there, we gotta have that.”
Six?
“I was born on the sixth and six is my number.”
Incidentally, it was the six-horse that came through in the opening race, allowing Leslie and Patty to cash a win-place-show ticket.
Patty’s mom Joan, of Pictou, sat in a lawn chair in front of the CA Douglas Grandstand and was looking forward to a cheap and fun night out.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said Joan, who bets a toonie here and a toonie there.
“Just for fun. I go by the name or the driver or the colour of their cloth, or something like that.”
Like Leslie and Patty, Joan had purchased all her tickets for the evening card prior to the first race.
“But I can’t tell you what the numbers are,” she chuckled.
New feel, new look
Truro Raceway has a new feel to it this summer.
New fencing has been installed along the track in front of the grandstand. Other fencing has been spruced up, and an upgraded tote board lights up the infield. The grandstand is also undergoing major renovations, thanks to a $4.63-million investment from the provincial government, announced earlier in the week – part of the province’s $230-million investment to improve infrastructure and help get the economy moving again.
“I think management’s done a really good job here working with sponsors to freshen up the place,” horse owner Brad McCallum said on Friday. “Obviously, an announcement this week is going to bring some more changes. In a time when there’s not much to be positive about it’s at least something to look forward to.”
Atlantic Sire Stakes action for two-year-old pacing colts, along with the Frank and Beth Stanfield Memorial for three-year-old pacing fillies highlighted the action on Friday.
Grand circuit week wraps up Saturday, July 18 with a race card beginning at 7 p.m. that features Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, Atlantic aged pacing mares, and the Lindsay Construction Cup Invitational.
Truro Raceway has social distancing measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including signs that indicate people should be six feet apart. Also, the grandstand is closed and all fans are required to watch the action outside. Wager booths and a canteen are available outside the grandstand.
