By Diane Daniels
Tomorrow's race card at Truro Raceway features the Nova Scotia Stake Series for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Developed by the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association, the Nova Scotia Stake Series fosters and promotes the breeding of standarbreds in our province.
In addition to the province's tracks and horsemen's associations, sponsors include the Province of Nova Scotia, Standardbred Canada, NSPE Select Yearling Sale, Pictonian Farms and Penn Hills.
Fifteen Nova Scotia-bred fillies will start in two divisions of this prominent stake, which is gaining popularity within the racing community.
Post time is 1:30 p.m. with qualifying sessions set for noon.
****
Approximately 25 students from ‘the horse course' program at the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture in Bible Hill with instructor Linda Jack visited Truro Raceway on Wednesday.
The class made stops at the raceway grandstand, paddock and stable areas. Driver/trainer Ben Hollingsworth, who has been attending the program for the past few years, assisted with the tour.
Tomorrow, a group of these students will be on hand to experience the fun and excitement of harness racing as well as participate in the presentation of a sheet to the winning connections of The Horse Course Pace sponsored by the Dalhousie University Agriculture Team.
****
Sunday afternoon the raceway will host a group from the Truro Newcomers Club. Approximately 19 members of this social organization will attend the races and be part of a special trackside presentation.
Established in 1994 this informal association offers interaction and information on the community to new residents of Truro and neighboring areas.
****
In addition to the Nova Scotia Stake, Horse Course Pace and Newcomers Race, a fourth trackside presentation is on tap with the donation of a sheet by horse owner and racing enthusiast Frenchy Thibeau of Halifax.
Thibeau is the owner of five-year-old mare N S Randee, trained out of the Henry Smallwood camp.
****
Eighteen-year-old Paul Langille of Lower Onslow is within five points of obtaining his Standardbred Canada Drivers License.
The industrious and horse-loving student, who is working towards an economics degree at the Dalhousie campus in Bible Hill has been qualifying his own stock at every opportunity along with mounts provided by supportive horsemen to reach the 50-point license requirement.
Langille discovered the magic of the horses early through his parents, Dwayne and Rosanne, and brother Keith, who is an active member of the KPD Standarbred Stable.
Langille earned a trainer's license at the age of 17 and has a good shot at reaching his goal on Sunday, declaring both Jenakam and Longn Winding Road in to qualify.
****
The ninth annual NSPE Yearling Sale is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19 with all systems go for the Agridome complex. Twenty-six top bred colts and fillies will circle the auction ring for leading Maritime breeders. Bidders will be looking for potential stake champions and invitational prospects in this select group of rookie hopefuls.
****
Racing fans visiting the track today can watch thoroughbred action from Woodbine and Belmont along with harness racing from local tracks in Saint John, N. B. and Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Mohawk features $791 000 in purses with divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes - gold eliminations for two-year-olds and the three-year-old gold final for colts and geldings.
Post time from the picturesque Campbellville track is programmed for 8:10 p.m.
Diane Daniels is the race office supervisor at Truro Raceway.
