Fourteen-year-old trotter WESKEY will be taking his last trip around the Dresden oval on Monday after a memorable meet.
The veteran has been under the condition of Bill or Tyler Borth for most of his career with the exception of a six-month stint in 2015 when he raced out of Pat Shepherd’s Stable.
The Wesgate Crown gelding is in the final year of his career but has put on quite a show at Dresden Raceway with four wins, a second, a third and a fourth in seven starts for a grand total of $8,330 which is part of $309,545 in lifetime earnings.
WESKEY is a proven winner visiting the winner’s circle 55 times throughout his career and setting a lifetime mark of 1:56.4 at Georgian Downs as a 12-year- old.
Although some fans may not realize the accomplishments of the gritty trotter, Tyler Borth will understand as they roll behind the gate on Monday and he appreciates every ounce of heart WESKEY has shown on the track.
WESKEY has five more months of racing before he reaches retirement age of 15 on January 1, 2018.
Wagering has been up for the third season in a row at Dresden Raceway as the total handle after 10 cards of racing is $237,271 which is just shy of last year’s 11 card total of $242,733 with one day yet to race.
“We should beat last year’s total handle by at least $30,000 which is a testament of all the hard work that Lucille Laprise and the rest of the Dresden Agricultural Society have put into Dresden Raceway,” said track announcer and publicist Gary Patterson.
“I’m proud of our accomplishments at Dresden Raceway and I am already looking forward to next year’s meet to see what we can do to improve. Racing in Ontario took a serious blow a few years ago but the resilience of the men and women in the harness racing industry is evident as the sport is starting to make a comeback at the grassroots level which means it will also be stronger at the higher levels.”
Monday’s card of racing also features free hot buttered corn on the cob to all patrons as well as the usual giveaways, draws and prizes and guest announcer Roger Huston taking to the microphone for the first five races then being available to sign autographs for the afternoon.
Post time is 1:30 p.m.
– Photo credit: Nathan Vetcauteren
