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Step into a different world in Prince Edward Island, where the air
is pristine, the birds are singing country songs, and the horses
whinny a welcome. Cars start rolling in for the best viewing spot
along the rail and kids jump, run and giggle around in the grass
and the little grandstand, secure in the fact that “horseplay”
is welcome here.
Hot Dog smells
start wafting from the canteen, creating instant hunger pangs, increasing
the fair-like atmosphere. Ask the horse in the end stall if he wants
a carrot, and he nods his head up and down with great enthusiasm.
The creak of harness and banter of the drivers herald the post parade
for the first race, and the amateur announcer gives an exciting
run-down on the horses and their handlers. One score, one turn,
and They’re Off!
The Matinee Racetracks of Prince Edward Island are steeped in a
tradition that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. The races
are held only for enjoyment, no purses, and there is no betting.
Some of the horses are being schooled for their debut at the bigger
tracks, and some are past the legal retirement age of a pari-mutuel
track, but still have the desire to compete.
The drivers
vary from teenagers wetting their feet to seniors and businessmen
looking for a little competitive fun in an amateur atmosphere These
little tracks in PEI have been the training grounds for some big
names in the harness world – Mark MacDonald, Paul MacKenzie,
Garry MacDonald and Paul Larrabee, just to name a few. The tracks
are an integral part of their communities, and the Island culture,
and they wield a considerable economic impact.
Come visit our Island, the land of Joe O’Brien, where racing
still exists as a pure sport and horses are our friends. Visit our
matinee tracks and enjoy the atmosphere and spectacle, or call us
up and we’ll find room for a few of your horses if you would
like to be a part of the action. We’d like to reintroduce
you to the fun of horse racing, for the love of the sport.
Matinee Racetrack Development Project
420 University Avenue, Suite 113
Charlottetown PE C1A 7Z5
Canada
902-894-6511
Fax: 902-894-6514
Email us: susan.mrdp@pei.aibn.com
The Matinee Racetrack Development Project is
funded by the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development
Agreement. (www.lmda.pe.ca)
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