Having split North America into two distinct countries – United States and Canada – the review of Canadian racetracks will be undertaken first on a province by province basis. This article deals with the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
ALBERTA –
Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) is a private not-for-profit corporation established with the Alberta Governments proclamation of the Racing Corporation Act in 1996. HRA was established to lead a racing industry renewal and manage industry self-regulation.
Their mission statement reads :
“Horse Racing Alberta will lead and enable a healthy, vibrant and progressive racing industry to function in the province of Alberta with high integrity and self-regulated responsibility.”
“In accordance with the Racing Corporation Act, the mandated objects of the HRA are as follows;
- To govern, direct, control, regulate, manage, and promote horse racing in any or all of its forms.
- To protect the health, safety, and welfare of racehorses and, with respect to horse racing, the safety and welfare of racing participants and racing officials.
- To safeguard the interests of the general public in horse racing.”
The OBJECT of the Society shall be to encourage and ensure co-operative effort in all matters pertaining to the production and improvement of the Standardbred Horse in the Province of Alberta, and to co-operate with the Associations and Societies of other Provinces in the Dominion of Canada and States of the United States of America/or other Associations in other Countries.
The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) initially formed to represent and protect the best interests of Standardbred industry participants and bring about a closer, more understanding relationship among members, racetracks, racing associations, governing bodies and the public.
Harness racing in Alberta has existed alongside the thoroughbreds since the late 1800’s with meetings often hosted at agricultural fairs.
A number of tracks are no longer in existence for harness racing purposes in Alberta. They include :
Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino, Edmonton
Northlands Park was the corporate operating name for Edmonton Northlands, adopted adopted from the race track name in 1995 and changed to Northlands in 2006. Northlands Park was a dual-breed racetrack owned and operated by Northlands — a non-profit, community service organization. Founded in 1879 before the official incorporation of the city of Edmonton or the province of Alberta. The first races were run in 1882 on a track that today would have been located in Edmonton CBD. In 1900 the track was moved from its home in the storied Rossdale Flats to the site it occupied until early 2019 undergoing upgrades in 1995 and 2005.
Harness Racing commenced on a five eighths mile track in 1952 at Northlands Park and continued through until the final meeting on 31 January 2019. Edmonton harness and thoroughbred racing moved to Century Mile Racetrack and Casino opening for business on 1 April 2019. As an example, in 1986 there were ninety eight race days at Northlands Park for total wagering of $54,075,913, daily average of $551,795.
Northlands Park centrally located and just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Edmonton consists of three main components: Skyreach Centre (a multi-sport spectator facility), Northlands Agricom (one of the largest exhibition centres in Canada) and the Spectrum (horse-racing stadium). Other than horse racing (until 2019) Northlands Park hosts three top annual Edmonton events: Farmfair International, Canadian Finals Rodeo and Edmonton’s Klondike Days Exposition. Over three and a half million people visit each year making it one of the largest sports venues in Canada.
Northland Park’s racing season generally consisted of a spring harness meet from February/March, a thoroughbred meet from May/June to September/October and a fall harness meet to mid-December. The prestigious Canadian (thoroughbred) Derby, the biggest event in Western Canadian racing is held in August – Northlands Park (1957 – 2018); earlier at Polo Park racetrack, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1930 – 1956) and now at Century Mile racetrack and Casino (2019 to date).
Northlands Park (formerly Northlands Spectrum) was the building name for the grandstand which boasted three dining areas on the second floor – Colours the main dining room overlooked the track with a seating capacity of seven hundred; Uplinks Theatre the simulcast restaurant area; Playbook Lounge opened for limited hours for private functions and sports broadcast events. Rocks and The Deli on the second floor opened during live horse racing. Betting was offered on slot machines and video lottery terminals in the main floor gaming room with dining available in the Slot Lounge and Slot Grill.
Stampede Park
It is believed that the first horse race staged in Calgary, Southern Alberta took place in 1884 when Shorty McLaughlin’s Humbolt raced against Parson Tom’s Buckskin in a half-mile dash for $200 a side on 25 June at the “old track” – located where 3rd Avenue S.W. now exists. In 1887 the Southern Alberta Turf Club staged races on a one-mile track in Elbow Park. In 1890 the races moved to Victoria Park on the present Stampede grounds which is the home of the annual Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Exhibition was formed in 1912 establishing pari-mutual wagering to replace bookies.
Racing was also conducted at Chinook Park from 1925 and together with Victoria Park, race days were shared between these venues until the beginning of the Second World War, when all the racing was transferred to Victoria Park. Chinook never reopened, although it continued to operate as a training facility for a number of years. Trotting and pacing races, were included from the very start of racing in Calgary although they were more of a hit and miss proposition until the 1970s when harness racing’s popularity exploded into life.
Needing an expansion in facilities, Calgary opened a new five furlong track and grandstand in 1974 at Stampede Park which could seat twenty thousand. Pari mutual betting figures were impressive into the 1980’s with harness racing handling $500,000+ and thoroughbreds $700,000+ per day. By 1986, there were a total of 106 race days at Stampede Park for a total handle of $40,100,823, a daily average of $387,309.
In 1982 the richest race held in Canada, the $200,000 Nat Christie Pace for 3yo’s was run for the first time at Stampede Park. Discontinued in 2007 with an honours board including Falcon Seelster, Matts Scooter, Falcons Future, Village Connection and Village Jasper.
Following these giddy times, the arrival of slot machines, video lottery terminals, off track betting shops and ultimately casinos brought about the demise of live racing at this particular Calgary venue. Stampede Park’s primary purpose was as a facility for the Calgary Stampede and as such the grandstands in the infield catered more for this event than the racing action with one set of stands unable to be seen over. The curtain came down on harness and thoroughbred racing in 2007 although the thoroughbreds got a short reprieve holding the last meeting on 15 June 2008 121 years after horse racing had commenced in Calgary.
Lethbridge –
The Whoop Up Downs Racino in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada has a 15,000 square foot casino floor with one hundred and three slot machines and no gaming tables. Whoop Up has a horse track featuring thoroughbred (Rocky Mountain Turf Club) and harness racing ** with one restaurant.
** no mention of current harness racing events at Lethbridge have been located.
However, an article written in 2016 indicates that thirty years ago in 1986 there were six harness race days at Whoop-Up Downs with total wagering of $211,538, daily average of $35,256. The all-aged track record at Whoop-Up Downs in 1986 was Jonquil Bye Bye’s 2:00.2 set in 1984.
The current Alberta tracks are all relatively recent additions to the province’s harness racing circuit – they are :
Alberta Downs –
The Track on 2 located just west of Lacombe on the QEII Highway is both a horse racing and events centre. Home to live quarter horse, thoroughbred and standardbred racing on a one mile dirt track and the only 7/8ths mile turf track in Western Canada. Locally owned and operated by Kurt & Kyla Belich and their business partner Ross Morrison.
Opened in 2009, the year round facility boasts a large grandstand with plenty of indoor seating for viewing the races on both the first and second floor, as well as a third floor with luxury suites above the finish line. The space is available for weddings, corporate events and Christmas parties. A riding arena and a number of stables make up part of the Alberta Downs complex.
The Funky Monkey Kitchen Restaurant and Bar features famous Chef Pete Sok. The VLT (video lottery terminals) Lounge is positioned inside the restaurant and the simulcast lounge streams local and international racing. During the winter months, offerings of hayrides around the track and through the paddock barn adorned with lights take place.
Calgary (Century Downs) Racetrack and Casino –
The one and one sixteenth mile Century Downs racetrack and casino in Rocky View County, Calgary opened in 2015 and is home to standardbreds, thoroughbreds and chuck wagon racing. The story of how this track emerged is one worth recounting due to the impact it had on the one hundred and seventeen years of horse racing history in the province of Alberta.
It started back in April 2002 when avid owner and horse racing fan, Roy McLellan was involved in the racing industry review spearheaded by Alberta Racing Corporation (now Horse Racing Alberta). His son Dwight McLellan, a land developer who won a Manitoba Derby as a young man with Bye Birdie Bye, was brought on board to provide a land developers perspective to the building of a new race track in Balzac, Alberta. Roy suggested Dwight “put something on paper and submit it to the committee”. Dwight along with Chartered Professional Accountant and Hospitality Accounting Executive, Ralph Miller and Project Manager and Writer, Sandra Rexilius, prepared an Expression of Interest for the Class “A” racetrack license for Calgary.
The Expression of Interest was accepted and the team invited to prepare and present their proposal to build a new horse racing facility. Dwight McLellan assembled a powerful team of architects with strategic perspective (Donald Dissinger, Ewing Cole Sports & Entertainment and John Riddell of Riddell Kurczaba), industry leaders (Max Gibb, Rocky Mountain Turf Club), land development and construction managers, along with horse racing industry participants (Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society and Alberta Standardbred Horse Association), horsemen, provincial and municipal government leaders to prepare a masterplan for a Racing Entertainment Centre that would feature a premiere racetrack, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities.
Amassing eight hundred acres of land in East Balzac, Dwight McLellan brought together investors and industry partners to financially support the project. In October 2004, the Class “A” racetrack license was awarded to the United Horsemen of Alberta (UHA) with land development commencing thereafter. In 2007 the project reins were taken over by Darcy Marler and in 2009 a partnership with Ivanhoe Cambridge resulted in the CrossIron Mills mall opening its doors to shoppers on 19 August 2009. Construction brought with it many challenges but Dwight McLellan’s can do attitude and vision prevailed. With total support from the Board of Directors and investors of the UHA and the continued leadership of Horse Racing Alberta, a partnership was formed with Century Casinos Inc. leading to the facility known as Century Downs Racetrack and Casino being completed.
Dwight McLellan did not get to see his vision fulfilled when live Standardbred racing commenced on 25 April 2015 and thoroughbred racing on 23 September 2017 but his dream lives on at every meeting held at Century Downs racetrack.
The Homestretch Room features wall to wall viewing of the race track hosting up to one hundred and forty guests. It is perfectly situated for buffet-style dining or table service, accommodating cocktail receptions to corporate meetings with everything from décor, menus, linen customised as required. The multi-functional space features audio and visual presentation equipment, conveniently offering a separate racetrack entrance as well as dedicated bathrooms. The Century Downs casino floor offers over six hundred slot machines, video lottery terminals, jackpots and electronic roulette.
On 12 August 2017, Century Downs’s Racetrack hosted the opening round of heats for the 2017 World Drivers Championship (overall winner : James MacDonald, Canada) : winners of the first five heats on the Saturday evening programme all raced over 1 1/16m distances with nine off the front line were Marcus Miller (USA) and James MacDonald (Canada), both winners of two races and Bjorn Goop (Sweden).Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Century Mile, Edmonton –
The latest addition to Alberta’s harness racing ranks, the one mile Century Mile Racetrack and Casino is located on the Airport Perimeter Road at Edmonton International Airport. Opened on 1 April 2019, Century Mile hosts standardbred, thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Post time for harness racing is 2:15pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Slots, jackpots and video lottery terminals all form part of the casino side of the Century Mile operation. The Finish Line Restaurant is open to patrons when live racing is underway.
SASKATCHEWAN –
Marquis Downs at Prairieland Park
Located in the southwest corner of the Praireland Exhibition Grounds subdivision in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Marquis Downs at Praireland Park is a thoroughbred racetrack. Opened in 1969 as Marquis Downs, it is part of the Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation, a membership based, non-profit corporation, first established as an agricultural society in 1886, the same year the first annual fair was held in Saskatoon. Harness racing was discontinued after the 1987 season, but returned in 2005 for a period of time before again being discontinued in 2010.
Construction of Saskatoon’s new $500,000 race track began on 23 April 1969 when hundreds of workers invaded the south end of the Saskatoon Exhibition grounds to start work. An ambitious target was set for completion with racing due to start in less than three months.
Saskatoon Exhibitions manager of racing Jack Evans was largely responsible for the project’s success. His crew hauled in over 30,000 yards of dirt needed to create western Canada’s newest five furlong racetrack. Even allowing for heavy rains totalling over two inches, the well laid surface quickly drained the water into the infield without delaying progress. The track designed to be rolled into a hard surface for harness racing or harrowed into loose dirt for thoroughbreds due to a nine-inch blow sand sub-base and topsoil surface. Marquis Downs was Canada’s widest oval at ninety feet across allowing eight harness horses abreast behind the mobile starting gate.
The modern grandstand structure made of steel, concrete and glass, was constructed from pre-fabricated pieces moved to the site for assembly. The outdoor grandstand featured 3,276 seats (later 3,500) with standing room for six thousand at track level. Indoor clubhouse facilities and dining areas were installed in later years. Wiring was laid for a complete lighting system to accommodate eventual night racing.
The main track is a five furlong oval (5/8ths mile) with a seven furlong chute. The grandstand capacity stood at 3,500. Officially opened on 14 July 1969, six months after engineers commenced designing the project. The previous day to the official opening Saskatoonians were invited to inspect the facility and witness a few qualifying races.
The inaugural season featured a twelve day harness meet, the biggest meet in the history of the sport in Saskatchewan up to that time. It also represented the Saskatoon Exhibition’s single biggest changeover in its racing history. Thoroughbred racing had traditionally been in the spotlight at the annual fair since 1928, however following construction of the new track harness racing would be the main attraction.
Molson’s Breweries sponsored driving awards and donated The Molson Golden Plate for the track record. Opening day Dixie Adios (dr Nealie Oliver, Beechy) was victorious in the Marquis Downs Inaugural with a new provincial record of 2:05.3, she improved bettered that mark days later by almost two seconds.
Marquis Downs attracted healthy crowds and appeared on the cusp of a boom in the early 1970’s. 1973 was the peak season for the harness fraternity’s twelve day meet. However by 1979, harness racing’s future was questionable with its popularity diminishing with smaller crowds and thoroughbred racing becoming the fans favourite such that harness racing at Marquis Downs ceased after the 1987 season.
Following an absence of seventeen years, harness racing reappeared at Marquis Downs in 2005 with a fifteen day meeting which was run after completion of the thoroughbred meet. Reported increase in grandstand attendance, with racing as competitive as ever and average wagering increasing by forty five percent from 2000.
The racing program at Marquis Downs has shifted and changed over the years, modest success with harness racing kept it going until finally ceasing in 2010. Again reverting to an exclusive thoroughbred racing facility, today running a twenty four meet late May to early September racing every Friday and Saturday and was the only licensed racetrack in Saskatchewan.
Marquis Downs had to cancel their 2020 thoroughbred season due to COVID 19. It was the first time since the track was opened at Prairieland Park in 1969 that there was no racing at the province’s only thoroughbred track. In February 2021, Marquis Downs cancelled its 2021 season, stating that current health orders, international travel restrictions, and financial impacts of holding races without spectators made it logistically impossible to conduct racing.
On 12 March 2021, Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation announced that Marquis Downs would no longer host thoroughbred racing. Prairieland Park announced that it was in was in negotiations with Living Sky Sports and Entertainment to repurpose the site for a soccer specific stadium, which would host an expansion team in the Canadian Premier League bringing Saskatchewan’s first professional soccer team to Saskatoon.
MANITOBA –
Manitoba’s Great Western Fair District conduct meetings in a number of regional locations.
The Manitoba Horse Racing Commission created in 1965 governs, directs, controls and regulates horse racing including standardbreds plus the operation of all race tracks that are scattered throughout Manitoba.
The Great Western Fair District provides harness racing on tracks at Miami, Killarney, Holland, Glenboro and Morris.
During the COVID 19 crisis of 2020 the Manitoba Standardbred Racing Industry Inc. (MSRI) programmed racing on ten Sundays with all meetings including qualifying sessions conducted at Miami, as opposed to racing at multiple locations throughout the summer and the province.
President Trevor Williams announced that all mandated social distancing protocols would be adhered to meaning live racing at Miami was able to be conducted with harness racing enthusiasts present in person to wager on the events presented. Racing commenced on Sunday 11 July and ran through until 12 September 2020.
Other Manitoba tracks part of the Great Western Fair District include –
Killarney Fairgrounds has a track in Killarney featuring harness racing.
The Holland Agricultural Society Campgrounds and racetrack – Holland Fair raced on Sunday 15 September 2019 hosting an eight race programme of harness racing featuring a $3,330 Open Handicap Pace and a $3,220 Preferred 2 Pace.
The small community of Glenboro’s annual Fair sees people sit in the bleachers while others pull up to the white fence in their cars to watch the harness racing. At the 19 August 2018 meeting, three track records were lowered. Feature races on the ten race programme were the $5,925 Manitoba Great Western Stake, $5,280 Kindergarten, $3,300 Fillies and Mares Open Pace and $3,500 Open Pace.
The small town of Morris in the Pembina Valley region fifty one kms south of Winnipeg hosts harness racing and is well known for the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition held annually over four days in July.
Next Article : Quebec
Peter Craig
4 May 2022
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
