Standardbred horses are bred specifically for harness racing; they possess an elongated body, are typically slightly lower and heavier than purebreds, and boast a reputation as peaceful, balanced animals with a stable psyche. They are ideally built for pulling a cart with a rider. The elegant trot and brisk amble, the gaits of standardbreds, allure spectators to hippodromes.
In Canada, trotter and pacer racing is beloved and popular, although it lags behind thoroughbred racing in terms of mass participation and media coverage.
Major Canadian Trotter Races
Canadian Pacing Derby - the Canadian Derby commenced in 1936; it is a race for pacers aged up to 3 years old and older. It is now open to both trotters and pacers. Hosted at various racetracks over the years, most recently at Woodbine-Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario.
The purse for 2023 amounted to $615,000, and the victor was Tattoo Artist, completing the 1-mile race in 1.47 minutes. The inaugural winner of the race in 1936 was Better Times, with the prize money at that time totalling $1,275. In 2006, the purse reached its peak in the race's history at $933,000.
The Metro Pace is a pacing event established in 1988, initially hosted at Woodbine Race Course and since 2005 at Mohawk Race Course within Woodbine-Mohawk Park in Campbellville. This race is tailored for 2-year-old horses, spanning a mile on dirt, with the purse for the 2023 edition set at $970.
It holds a familial significance in its winners' circle. In 1990, the champion was the stallion Artsplace. His progeny, Grinfromeartoear and Firepan, secured victory in 1998 and 1999, respectively. In 2007, the title went to Somebeachcomewhere, whose offspring Captaintreacherous triumphed in 2012. The 2024 race purse is expected to soar to $1 million.
North American Cup. The race has been held since 1984, now at Woodbine-Mohawk Park in Campbellville. Pacers aged 3 years and older participate, covering a distance of 1 mile on dirt. The race boasts the most impressive purse - $1 million. Canada's premier driver, John Campbell, claimed victory in this race 6 times in the 90s. In 2023, Its My Show triumphed with a time of 1.47 minutes.
Canadian Trotting Classic. The race has been held since 1976 at Greenwood Raceway, but after the track's closure, it was relocated to Woodbine-Mohawk Park track. Over a distance of 1 mile on dirt, 3-year-old trotters compete, vying for a purse of $660,000. The victor of the 2023 race was the American stallion Selebrity Bambino.
Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup - a commemorative cup in honour of Charles Juravinski; until 2022, the event was known as the Pace Confederation Cup. Since 1977, it has been hosted at Flamborough Downs Race Course in Hamilton, Ontario. Since 2015, 4-year-old pacers have competed over a distance of 1 mile on dirt. For many years, the Confederation Cup has drawn the finest horses from North America and the United States, many of whom have been subsequently inducted into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame. The purse for the 2023 race was $262,000. The champion in 2022 was Linedrave Hanover, while Forever Boy claimed victory in 2023.
Maple Leaf Trot - a race held since 1950 at Woodbine-Mohawk Race Track, covers a distance of 1 mile, with trotters aged 3 years and older participating. The race is highly regarded among North American horse owners, boasting a prize pool of $530,000 in 2023. The tale of the inaugural race in 1950 is intriguing. Following two races, two horses posted identical times - Morris Mite and Adelvne Hanover, resulting in a tie. The victor was determined by a simple coin toss, with the 8-year-old stallion Morris Mite emerging as the winner of the 1st Maple Leaf Trot race.
Mohawk Gold Cup - formerly known as the Iroquois Gold Cup, this competition has been running since 1950 for pacers aged 3 years and older. Hosted by the Woodbine-Mohawk Race Course, the race covers a distance of 1 mile, with a prize fund of $100,000. The victor of the 2023 event was the Canadian stallion Abuckabett Hanover, clocking in at 1.47 minutes.
Breeders Crown - the premier North American series comprising 12 races, encompassing all standardbred categories, including various age groups (2 and 3-year-old horses), genders (fillies, stallions, and geldings), and gaits (trotters and pacers). Established in 1984 by the Hambletonian Society and Racing Products and Testing Consortium, the Breeders Crown aims to foster the growth of the Standardbred breeding industry and enhance the prestige of harness racing. Competitions take place at racetracks across the USA and Canada. Woodbine Race Course has hosted the event four times, and in 2022, Woodbine-Mohawk Park hosted the $6.7 million race for the fifth time.
The Governor's Cup, with a buy-in of $454,000 in 2023, is an annual race for 2-year-old pacers covering a mile in distance. This American event lacked a permanent venue until 2017; Woodbine Racetrack hosted it six times from 2005 to 2016. This underscores the strong socio-economic ties between the two countries, including in the realm of horse racing. It's often humorously remarked that Canada is the 51st state of the US.
The Prix d'Été, a race for 4-year-old pacers, has been held at the Trois-Rivières Racecourse in Quebec since 1966. Covering a distance of 1 mile on a dirt surface, the race boasts a prize fund of $500,000. In its inaugural year, the purse stood at $50,000, marking the richest race in Canadian history at that time. Until the early 90s, it held the distinction of being the largest race in North America. It was temporarily suspended in 1992, reopened in 1995, closed again in 2009, and then reopened once more in 2014. It continues to be the most coveted race for four-year-old horses. In 2024, the Prix d'Été is scheduled for August 18, with a purse of $200,000.
The National Driving Championship (NDC) takes place annually in Canada. Initially, regional championships are held, including the Western, Ontario Championship, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Championship, and Atlantic Championship. Subsequently, the National Championship occurs in Quebec at the Trois-Rivières racetrack. The upcoming NDC in 2024 will determine the representatives for the country at the 2025 World Cup, to be held in New Zealand.
Certainly, this compilation of Canadian harness racing is not exhaustive. The sport boasts a dedicated fan base, with numerous breeders, owners, and drivers actively involved. Bets on races are accepted at various bookmaker offices. Despite receiving relatively little media attention, harness racing remains beloved by its enthusiasts, even if it may not enjoy the same level of popularity as its counterpart, thoroughbred racing.