Off to the Races!
Harness Racing at Red Shores Summerside
Photo courtesy of Red Shores
​
​
For the uninitiated, harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait (a trot or a pace). They pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, occupied by a licensed professional or amateur driver. It is a serious investment to become a top harness racing driver, and or a trainer, of standardbred horses. After years of being involved around standardbred horses and learning to jog and train, a person (male or female) can write the test to become licensed.
​
Harness Racing is for you if you enjoy the thrill of sports and entertainment.
With every race, the excitement begins as soon as the horses line up behind the starting gate (the car that horses go behind to begin the race) and builds to a heart pounding force as you witness the high speed intensity of the horses on the track. It’s a given that you’ll pick a favorite horse and driver to cheer on. There is no better feel than the thrill and excitement as you watch your horse come roaring from the back of the pack to win the race! You don't need to know anything about harness racing to come out and enjoy the excitement! But, by the time you leave we will have taught you plenty about the sport.
Not sure how to read a race card? Then plan to attend Harness Racing 101 where you will be taught just that along with how to bet, and you will get to meet the stars of the track, the horses and drivers.
When it comes to placing a wager you must be nineteen years old or older. You can wager as little as $2 on a race or as much as you wish. If you wager $2 on a horse to Win, it means that horse must win to cash your ticket. If you wager $2 to Place, that means your horse has to finish first or second in order to cash your ticket. If you wager $2 to Show, then your horse can finish first, second or third and you can cash your ticket. These wagers are explained in more detail at the race track. ATM onsite.
Image courtesy of Rocky Schurman
Clifford Chappell in the winner’s circle at Summerside Raceway in 1970
