The Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association's fall spectacle, the Atlantic Breeders Crown races, will be held at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Sunday afternoon, October 7th with Post Time at 1:30 pm.
The Sunday afternoon race card will feature six Atlantic Sires Stake finals for two and three year old colts and fillies in both pacing and trotting classes. The collective purses offered on Breeders Crown race day will exceed $100,000.
The Breeders Crown weekend will be a welcome boost to Prince Edward Island's shoulder tourist season and will generate additional spending in many segments of the Island economy. A planning committee with representation from many components of the harness industry have planned an exciting and action packed weekend for harness racing fans.
The weekend kicks off with a reception on Friday evening, October 5th at the Top of the Park, Charlottetown Driving Park, hosted by the City of Charlottetown. Bright and early Saturday morning, the Atlantic Breeders Crown Golf Tournament will be held just across the Hillsborough Bridge at the Fox Meadow Golf and Country Club. Then it's off to the races with a race card starting at the Charlottetown Driving Park at 1:45 pm. Saturday winds up at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel with a reception and the Atlantic Breeders Crown Dinner.
Sunday is the big day with a Pancake Breakfast at the Charlottetown Driving Park from 10 am until noon. By this time, the CDP will be filling up with thousands of harness racing fans coming out to see just what horses will wear the coveted Breeders Crowns at the end of the day. A most probable and most worthy Breeders Crown wearer will be the pacing sensation Firm's Phantom. A huge crowd is expected just to see him add another win to his record setting activities. For anybody involved with a horse – owner, breeder, driver, trainer, or groom – a win in a prestigious Atlantic Breeders Crown event will be a fantastic start to a great Thanksgiving!
Special events during the weekend will be the Legends of Harness Racing program and a Harness Racing Memorabilia display. A select group of both Canadian and Maritime harness racing legends will be in Charlottetown and will be available to chat with harness fans throughout the weekend. Some of the Legends will drive in the Saturday afternoon race card and show their special skills. In addition, a special Harness Racing Memorabilia display will be set up for harness fans to view on Saturday and Sunday.
The Atlantic Breeders Crown committee is co-ordinating a unique Breeders Crown fund raiser. First prize is a trip for two to Toronto on November 10th to attend the BREEDERS CROWN. Other prizes are $1000 in cash and a snow blower. The PEI Joyriders and various harness racing groups in the Maritimes are now selling tickets until Breeders Crown race day. The Joyriders will receive a special purse from ticket sales to help with their popular riding program for handicapped riders.
Reserve some of your Thanksgiving Weekend for the Greatest Show in Maritime Racing!