Well known Alberta oilman, university chancellor and principal owner of Meridian Farms took home the horseman of the year hardware at the Prince County Horseman’s Club (PCHC) annual awards banquet held last Saturday evening in Summerside, PEI. It was Bill Andrew’s second horseman of the year award in three years. He received the first from the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) at their awards banquet in 2011. “I was very honoured to receive the Horseman of the Year from the PCHC,” Andrew said. “The organization and the Summerside Raceway represent everything that is good about horse racing. They were there for the ...

In only his second Open I Trot, Pompano newcomer Waiting On A Woman was ready to spar for the early lead. So that’s just what he and Blushing Hanover did, opening up almost two lengths on the others in a 27.3 first quarter. The mare had a minimal edge on him. Wally Hennessey asked for a fraction more acceleration from Waiting On A Woman near the half; in a split second, they overtook Blushing Hanover. Then, the gelding’s trotting hobbles unexpectedly gave way. Waiting On A Woman’s trainer was watching from bleachers near the Pompano paddock when the equipment broke. Travis ...

Hello again fellow ramblers. Welcome to our April edition. We have a jam-packed column for you as the countdown is up on April 20, with the live racing season kicking off at Red Shores Charlottetown. We are going to discuss the 2012 Prince County Horsemen’s Club annual awards banquet, and the opening qualifiers held at Red Shores Summerside. So pitter patter, let’s get at ‘er! PCHC Gala April 13, 2013 marked the annual 2012 PCHC awards banquet, and unfortunately, I was not in attendance this year as I was out of province on vacation. I did hear that a great evening was ...

With the re-opening of live racing a month away in Charlottetown, this past Saturday morning at the Charlottetown Driving Park was a little like the 401 highway! Lots of ship-ins were in attendance to train over a track that was, finally, completely dry for a change. It's been hard to get slow miles into two-year-olds this winter and I suspect most people are a little behind schedule in where they would be compared to other years. A couple of events in the Charlottetown area to make note of in the coming month are the annual horsemen's curling tournament which is scheduled ...

With the new season approaching quickly we are always trying to improve our offerings. The very successful Drive for Charity will be back again this year. We are expanding it by two drivers this year. The reception will be held in the Top of the Park Thursday May 9. Here are some of the details: • Length of contest (June 1, 2013-October 31, 2013) • Donation/driver win ($50) • 14 participating drivers • New this year – Red Shores will host a mid-season BBQ in the Judges Tower for the businesses and drivers involved. We look forward to this year’s version of the 2nd Annual Drive ...

Despite the horrid winter conditions, New Brunswick horsemen are still busily preparing for the upcoming stakes season. It is still early and difficult to make a comprehensive training report. Hopefully we will be able to carry one in a future edition. We can tell you that among the early steppers catching eyes in Saint John are J Ps Warrior, an N Xample colt purchased by Bob MacNeil at last fall’s Atlantic Classic Sale. He is a half-brother to Mr Pogge and last season’s stakes-placed Life Of A Cowgirl. Another eye-catcher has been the Coastocoast Yankee lass, Elm Grove Intowin, who ...

The Cape Breton Island Horsemen’s Association agreed at a recent meeting to accept a one-year contract offer from Northside Downs management for racing in the 2013 season. The vote was 57-6 in favour of acceptance. The association also decided to form a promotions committee to work with management to promote harness racing this season. Members so far include horsemen John Ratchford and Warren MacKinnon, along with Lisa LeBlanc and me. There will certainly be others involved. We’ve been fortunate to have a great fan base and a healthy live bet for the past few years, but it's been done without ...

It is the time of year we have all been waiting for; the temperature is getting warmer, the days are a bit longer and the two-year-olds are beginning to train. After our colder-than-usual winter the facemasks and snowsuits are being traded in for watches and training whips. Even with track conditions working against them, Truro Raceway trainers have been getting some slow miles on their two-year-olds as of late. Not many have beaten 2:40 yet but it looks as if most are doing it right and minding their manners. Danny Romo’s trotter Dunmore Bravo and Darren Crowe’s two Harrisburg purchases have ...

It's a familiar trainer-driver combo here in Alberta. Maritimers Joe Ratchford and John Chappell frequently “team up” to win races at Northlands Park and Alberta Downs. “We make a good team,” said Chappell. “Joe and I have a real good relationship and we've done well together over the years.” One horse that they've both has success with over the last few years is Greek Ruler. “He came from Ontario in the summer of 2009,” said Ratchford. “Gord Baxter and I had him back then.” Since arriving here, the big son of Astreos has raced anywhere between a $6,000 claimer and the Open Pace, with ...

No Fear, owned by Bill Andrew, George Rogers and Jim MacPhail, captured the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding award at the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) awards banquet on Saturday, February 9. Going up against Western Canada Pacing Derby winner Sharkalucchi, in the open category, No Fear, trained by Sandford Campbell, put together a 7-5-5 record from 22 starts, with $56,269 earned in 2012. His 1:53 victory in the $50,000 Brad Gunn, on July 27 stood out as the highlight moment from his 2012 campaign.  Kelly Hoerdt, who finished in the runner-up position behind PEI's Marc Campbell for the 2012 O'Brien ...