By Ben Hollingsworth

The trainers who call Truro Raceway home aren’t as busy as they have been in previous years, but what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. This year’s crop seems to be one of the best in recent memory and many trainers have high hopes for their charges this summer.
Trainers Danny Romo, Darren Crowe and Pooker McCallum are all going with large stables and have been busy putting this year’s hopefuls through their paces and trots.
Romo is busy jogging a 13-horse string including seven two-year-olds. The three two-year-olds that have caught my eye are Camco Striker, The Patriot and Dunmore Bravo. Brian Burgess’ Camco Striker (PEI $6,100) is an impressive pacer that covers the ground very easily. The Patriot (NSPE $7,500) is a nice colt that is growing into a big rugged individual. Romo is turning heads with his trotter Dunmore Bravo (PEI $6,250). Co-owned by Debbie Francis, David Breen and Danny Romo, this slick-gaited colt is trotting past all his pacing companions.
The Crowe stable is busy going with 18 head, including 10 two-year-olds. Straying away from his usual Maritime-bred stock, Darren has got two nice pacers in Twin B Wildcat (Camluck) and Bobs Ideal (Western Ideal).
Father-in-law Sonny Siteman travelled to Harrisburg where he bought the Camluck and Western Ideal colts for $15,000 each. Crowe co-owns a slick-gaited No Pan Intended colt that he and Anthony Stymest raised out of Western Paradise mare Pictonian Flyer.
Pooker McCallum is the definition of a workhorse as he broke over 20 yearlings this past fall and is currently training nine two-year-olds. Debbie Francis’ Mr Vaive (PEI $12,500) is turning heads as the handsome Coastocoast colt is starting to pace up a storm. Long-time horseman Doug Polley owns a very slick Shadow Play filly (HBG $10,000) that is an absolute beauty. My absolute favourite colt at the track is Tony Zuethoff’s Million Dollar Cam colt Pictonian Caper. Out of Western Paradise mare For The Luva Bunny, this colt is one of the slickest pacers and smartest colts you’ll see anywhere.
The smaller stables at Truro Raceway also contain some nice looking individuals. Veteran horseman Phil Pinkney has got two really nice pacers in his stable. Moessoncanadian (PEI $4000) and Woodmere Artisan (PEI $20,500) are both nice, big individuals who do their work with ease. Arleen and Joe Gillis’ broodmare has blessed their family with another gifted colt. Their little colt, Miraculous Arrow, is one of the slickest pacers on the grounds. Another nice colt is Butch Doyle’s Santanna Blue Chip gelding, owned by Butch’s brother Phil. Dave Carey has been training a very nice Western Paradise filly for owner-breeder Brydan Ryan.
Along with all the two-year-olds in training at Truro, some of last year’s brightest stars are back at work. Danny Romo has both The Rev and Top Brand back jogging after some well deserved rest and relaxation.
On April 7 Truro Raceway will open once again. Qualifying dates will be announced shortly.
The Truro Harness Horse Owners Association’s Ways and Means Committee is meeting once again after a Christmas break hiatus. The group has begun planning the association’s awards banquet along with other fundraisers and events for this coming race season.
Before we can get to opening day, we must go through some more winter conditions. This winter has been one of the coldest in recent memory and has made me wish to go to Florida on more than one occasion. Heavy gloves, big boots and snowsuits are musts in the frigid cold. Face masks are optional for most trainers but you will never find me out in the cold without mine. The horses seem to be withstanding the cold very well but I think they also hope warmer weather is on its way!
Editor’s Note: Ben is an active member of the harness racing community as an owner, trainer, driver and extreme fan. Growing up around the Phil and Dale Pinkney barn at Truro Raceway, Ben started mucking stalls and cleaning harness while moving up the ladder to a groom and then a trainer-driver. Ben has worked the last two summers as an intern with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. While travelling all around the U.S., Ben taught kids about harness racing in fun and interactive camps. While still helping out the Pinkney family, he is currently training back his own mare Woodmere Real Drop at Truro Raceway.