Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park is ready for live horse racing in the foreseeable future. The long-anticipated announcement of its spring racing season was made just recently and horse people and fans were delighted to learn the date. May 8 is projected to see the official start of the live horse racing this year.
It should be pointed out that this year the spring meet is about to commence a week later than usual and originally planned. The horse people ready to launch all live races have already commenced their training sessions that will span over the weeks ahead of the official start of the spring meet. There will be a total of 79 race dates within this year’s schedule.
Charlottetown Races
The management of the racetrack had a frank conversation with the horse people on when to launch the spring meet. Harness racing groups were also included in the convo directly affecting them, and all participants came to the conclusion that a May 8 launch will be favorable for them. The second Saturday of May will see its first race commence at 6 p.m. (ADT).
What should be pointed out is that the initial plan for action was for the spring meet to commence on May 1. There was even live races scheduled for this day, but now it became clear that they will be subjected to a schedule change. The races on May 1 and May 13 will be moved to a later date of the schedule. Horse racing fans should also know that all live harness races will take place at Charlottetown.
Saturday race dates will persist up until May 15, whereas the first Thursday harness horse racing day will be on May 20. All eyes are set on the 62nd edition of the Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer, one of the grand horse racing events part of the spring racing season.
Summerside Races
May 24 is another special date for the harness racing fans of Atlantic Canada. This is when Red Shores Summerside is scheduled to launch daily races. That Monday is about to see their official start at 1 p.m. (ADT) with diverse races staked. There will be some 27 race dates part of this year’s spring meet there, including the 53rd edition of the Governor’s Plate on July 10.
Earlier this year it was announced that January 5 is set to bring more excitement to the Charlottetown Driving Park and electrify the field once again. Post time for the Tuesday racing action is set to 6 p.m. AST and the racehorses participating in it are already chosen. December 31, 2020 saw the draw associated with that race.
In the meantime, Atlantic Lottery Corporation wanted to see expansion nearby. A while back, the Crown corporation announced plans to purchase part of Eastink Center located in Charlottetown, as to ensure its future operation would continue to expand and bring new opportunities to the local community. The center is located in the vicinity of the Red Shores Racetrack and Casino overseen by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Purchasing part of the building located nearby might mean a family-friendly expansion taking place.
Source: « Red Shores Announces Spring Meet Opener », StandardbredCanada.ca, April 1, 2021