The rain stayed away and the people were out in droves at Dresden Raceway for the 2015 opening day.
Over 800 people enjoyed a great day of harness racing action with tons of giveaways throughout the day.
Before the racing action started, a special presentation was held as Dresden Raceway become the new home to a sulky that is 130 years old.
The family of the late Bill Townsend donated the old race bike to Dresden Raceway to honour the local roots of harness racing.
The sulky was manufactured at Dresden’s own Rudd Carriage Factory in the late 1800’s and was acquired by the Townsend family in the mid 1900’s.
Robert Sparling Jr. was the star of the day as he made four trips to the winner’s circle.
Sparling scored his first winner in the fifth race while at the controls of .
The three-year-old Abercrombie mare is owned by Clarence Dekens of Clinton and trained by Randy Marriage.
Decroft Blast paced the mile in 1:58.1.
Sparling’s second win of the day was with Comeback Matt in the seventh race as he guided the seven-year-old Royal = Mattjesty gelding home in 2:00.2 for owner Jim Napper of Bothwell and trainer Cathy Gaudreau.
Blissful Annmarie was Sparling’s third winner in the ninth race for owner Don Wilkins and trainer Cathy Gaudreau.
The four-year-old Blissful Hall mare paced in 2:02.2.
The Gaudreau trained and Napper owned Primary Pick proved to be Sparling’s fourth winner in the 10th race.
The four-year-old Rambarran mare paced to victory in 2:00.4.
Nick Steward also scored three winners on the day at Dresden Raceway.
The handle was $17,834.
Here are some photos by Nathan Vercauteren:
Photo credit: Nathan Vercauteren
