Sheridan’s Decision to Eliminate HRPEI Proving Correct
Horsetalk
By
Hal Hennessey
A year ago, in what may have been Wes Sheridan’s smartest decision with regards to the
Island’s Standardbred industry, he got rid of the Harness Racing PEI concept and turned
the management of the two Island tracks over to Atlantic Lotto. Not everyone was sure
about the move, myself included. After all, ALC did not have a great track record in its
dealings with Maritime Harness Racing. However they proved they were serious this
time, when they brought in Tom Mullally as Chief Operating Officer and hired Brett
Revington as the Racing Experience Manager. Those two decisions sealed the deal. Not
only is business booming at the Island facilities, but the old tug-of-war games, between
the racing and the casino side under HRPEI, look to have been eliminated. Certainly the
early numbers from the first race cards of 2011 would seem to vindicate the policy. My
sources tell me that the total bet on the Island to date, stands at about $170,000 dollars for
9 race days. Last year it was about $100,000 over the same period. As well,
approximately $50,000 of that increase comes from off track sources. I’m also told the
audience for the online Netcast show is averaging approximately 1500 views and folks
are tuning in from all over Canada, the US, as well as Europe, South America and the
Caribbean.
-------------------------------------Kudo’s to Mullally’s leadership and Revington’s harness racing experience for much of
this. I’m sure that Brett’s background with major Ontario tracks like Woodbine and
Western Fair Raceway, helped cement the online wagering deal with Horse Player
Interactive (HpiBet). It’s great news as we advance into the height of the summer racing
season. Credit where credit is due though, right now Wes Sheridan’s decision to do away
with HRPEI and go with the Atlantic Lotto management model, is making him look
pretty sharp.
------------------------------Now just in case you think you’re reading a kindlier, gentler me in my old age, let me
disabuse you of that notion. All is not rosy on the PEI landscape and there’s plenty of
room for improvement. According to my email this is particularly true in Summerside.
There, many fans, bettors and horsemen think they are still being treated as 2nd class
citizens. Professionalism and presentation, both at the track and on the Netcasts were sore
spots this past week. As well, in the case of the Netcasts, the signal is less than stellar a
lot of the time and while I realize new equipment is on order, it does not make for
customer satisfaction. ‘Summerside Raceway’ is also not available on HPI and folks up
West cannot bet the CDP from home. Horsemen also tell me they feel there’s a less than
100% effort to promote Western PEI racing. And the fact that they only they see someone
from management on a race day doesn’t help. One other sore spot is classification. Spread
out fields and layovers will hurt the wager at anytime. And, as was the case last week, to
put a horse like Jepson Hanover in a race just to help out someone shipping in for a stake
is a bit much. After all he was almost 2 seconds better than the rest of the field – they
were racing for 2nd money and knew it. If those in charge think horsemen didn’t resent
that move – think again. Not hard to understand why the harness racing community at
‘Summerside Raceway’ might feel like they are being treated as second class citizens.
---------------------------------The Week That Was:
The strong wager continued at both Island tracks last week. SRW came in at almost
$12,000 on Wednesday ($5,000 from off-track), while the CDP bet $14,625 on Thursday
and just over $17 K Saturday night. This is great stuff. At a time when the bet is dropping
at most tracks and fans deserting the game, the reverse is happening on PEI.
Governments and taxpayers everywhere are asking the industry to justify the support it is
getting. Being able to point to a strong economic impact, the employment benefits, plus
an increasing fan base and wager on PEI, does just that.
The only downeast winner at SRW on Wednesday was Elm Grove Future in the Ruby
Chappell 3 YO fillies. She won in :59.2 for Dan Ross and his partner Boyd MacDonald.
Paul Grey’s Jepson Hanover was fastest on the card – 1:56.4
Life Savior had the same time winning the feature Thursday at the CDP, in rein to Mark
Campbell. Meridian Magic avenged her defeat of the previous week in the Open Mares.
She won for Kenny Arsenault in 1:58.2. Downeast winners included Mike Bailey and
Ambrose Laybolt’s nice trotter Diana Car (2:02.4) and the Jason Collings – Art Jay
owned Bossy Bubba (2:00.2).
Saturday at the CDP, Montague’s Trevor Hicken saw his charge Riccaras Sun, in rein to
Gary Chappell, win the feature in 1:56.3. I was also tickled to see the old pro Ronnie
Gass pull of a bit of an upset in the Open Trot. He steered Wendell MacDonald’s Caliban
Hanover to a nice win in 2:02. Downeast winners included Kevin MacLean’s
Dylanslicketysplit in 1:59.3 for Walter Cheverie. Walter had a 2nd victory with another
King’s Co. horse, Sandra Stead’s Jaguar Royal N. Sandra must be loving this. The old
fella has 9 starts in 2011, 3 firsts, 1 second and 3 thirds. Doesn’t get much better than that
for a 14 year- old retiree (the horse, not Sandra, LOL). Cardigan’s Judy MacLeod also
had a win with Incredible Mike in 1:58.4, Brodie MacPhee was at the controls. Finally,
last but not least, our 4H gal from Morell Lynda MacSwain along with partner Greenoaks
Farm, saw her Beechwood Tiger cross the wire first in 1:57.4. Trainer Marc Campbell
was the pilot.
Saturday at the CDP it’s the Ladner Memorial elims, Post Time 6 Pm.
----------------------------Courtesy of Lee Drake here’s Wedneday the 8th round-up from SRW. I should mention
they had another excellent mid-week bet of over $13K.
Bob Dewar Memorial Stakes Produces Big Night of Racing at Summerside
By Lee Drake
Summerside, PE – The Bob Dewar Memorial Stakes for three-year-old colts highlighted
the Wednesday night card of racing at Red Shores Summerside.
Pictonians Souwest, in line to Gary Chappell, held on to win the first division in 1:57.1
after being roughed up early by New School and driver Jason Hughes. The Dan Ross
owned son of Western Paradise fought off a late challenge to win in 1:57.1
Putnams Power cruised to a 1:58.3 score in the second division of the Dewar for driver
Danny Romo. The post time favorite, owned by Ronald Seymour Jr, Bruce Donovan,
Glace Bay, N.S., is perfect this season.
Windmere Express took a new lifetime record of 1:58.4 in the third division. Joey Pineau
sent the colt off the wings to set up shop on the front end to capture the hardware for
Windemere Farms of North Wiltshire. Earl Watts is the winning trainer.
Pictonian Fancypas took the next division for Todd Trites in 1:58.3 and owner Steven
Lewis, Millville, N.S.
Camcun completed the Bob Dewar Memorial Stakes with a victory in race 10. Kenny
Arsenault did the driving for his co-owner Dan Belliveau, Halfifax, N.S.
Norris Rogers had a driving triple on the night.
Racing returns Thursday at Red Shores Charlottetown. Post time is 7pm. The Cecil
Ladner Memorial eliminations highlight the Saturday card of racing. Post time is 6pm.
---------------------------------------------------------Odds & Sods
For someone who loves the trotters like me, the number of them racing on the Island are
a pleasure to watch. Todd Walsh currently leads the Trot Challenge with 56 points, Mark
Cullen is second at 42 and Willie Murphy third with 22. Kudos to Johnston’s Salads and
Keybrand Foods Inc. for sponsoring this competition.
Mike MacNeil and Dave Dowling were 1 – 2 most of Saturday evening at Sudbury.
Mike won 3 and Dave 2 on the 9 dash card. Each of them also won a division of the Pot
O’ Gold claiming series. Mike with Xir Ray Shun King in 1:57 and Dave with No
Competition in 1:57.4.
Last Thursday at Rideau, John MacDonald drove 7 winners on the 15 dash program,
while Saturday at Georgian Tony MacDonald reined home 5.
And speaking of that – word is that Mark MacDonald is home from the hospital and on
the road to recovery.
Horses For Courses Dept.
Just a couple to note; Marcel ‘Pops’ Barrieau was a winner in 1:57.1 with Ian and Peter
Smith’s Waiver Hanover last week at Rideau. And Paul MacKenzie drove Doug
MacPhee’s Lucky In Love to a 1:56.3 victory Friday at Grand River.
-----------------------------Questions/Comments? hal.al@sympatico.ca