The formal start of the 2024 season of live harness racing at Clinton Raceway is Victoria Day weekend, which is also the unofficial start of summer.
Racing enthusiasts from all across Ontario have flocked to the Huron County oval on Sunday afternoons to take in the rustic ambiance, ever since the Clinton Kinsmen conducted their first prolonged meet in 1970.
Throughout a 15-week period, Clinton Raceway will be the site of a new fundraising event called the Day at the Races Program every Sunday through September 1st (Sunday, June 2nd excluded).
"Last season, we saw 15 groups raise just over $55,000 for local charities, clubs and organisations," noted Jessica Carnochan, Marketing Manager. "It really is such a community event each Sunday, we are incredibly thankful to our sponsors, loyal fans and new faces for supporting our initiatives."
This Sunday, May 19, Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) will kick off the season with a trackside bake sale, 50/50, silent auction, and barbecue in addition to the 10-race lineup of live harness races. Additionally, CHSS will provide face painting and freezies for the children. A meet & greet with the precision riding team, Cutting Edge Cowgirls, will take place in the park. They will also perform on the track at 1 p.m. after the ninth race. The Super Sunday Show is back for another season, offering fantastic freebies, prizes, and fun activities to keep you informed and engaged in between the races. One of the highlights of the show is the opportunity to win tickets to watch 5440, Sloan, and Owen Riegling at the Clinton Spring Fair.
This season's other highlights include Legends Day's return on Sunday, June 30. Since its inception in the early 2000s, this biennial event has raised over $300,000 for various organisations through its ten events. This season's donor, the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation, will present a $15,000 Legends Day Invitational Trot that features drivers from the Hall of Fame, along with a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Reunion that includes a meet and greet, silent auction, online 50/50, chicken dinner, and other events. The $60,000 Kin Pace, the richest race at Clinton Raceway, is held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Ontario Sires Stakes program on Sunday, July 7. The following weekend, July 14, is always popular for Kids Day and Open House. On Sunday, September 1, the 44th Charity Driver's Challenge will conclude the season.