Wet November was 'challenging' for P.E.I. harness racing — and 'tough on the horses'

A much wetter than normal November in P.E.I. meant harness racing at Red Shores Racetrack in Charlottetown often had to be postponed or cancelled for safety reasons.

Six groups or "cards" of races had to be cancelled or postponed at the Charlottetown Driving Park in November, either before races began or partway through as track conditions deteriorated. A total of 155 millimetres of rain fell in a month that normally averages 93 millimetres.   

"We're glad to see it in the rear-view mirror," Lee Drake, Red Shores' manager of racing and broadcast, said of the month of November. "It didn't seem to let up… it was a challenging month for sure.

"When you get large amounts of rain… it will affect the track safety for the horses and the drivers. Visibility is probably the key factor that we look at in terms of safety, because of the speeds they're going," Drake said.

"The month of November was tough… Lot of mud, lot of rain," said Mike McGuigan, a horse trainer and driver. "Tough on us, tough on the horses, tough on businesses."  

McGuigan said all the rain made the track "sloppy."

It was such a concern that managers decided to add 80 tonnes of rock dust to the track's surface to try to maintain its firmness. The track had to be shut down while the crew applied it. 

"Safety is our number one priority," Drake said, noting that the track's surface has to be able to stand up to half a dozen or more races in a row. 

Cancellations are complicated 

The decision to postpone races is made by representatives from the racetrack, the horse owners, and the harness racing industry association, who will gather several hours before post time or even the day before. Drake stressed the final word on cancellation lies with the drivers.

The racing schedule is set months in advance, Drake said, and cancelling or postponing an evening of races is an onerous procedure, involving the approval of several regulatory bodies including the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, United Tote, Standardbred Canada, broadcasters, Racing Forensics and more. 

Changes also affect reservations at the Red Shores dining room, as some groups plan outings around a certain card of races. Drake said their food and beverage team has been busy with cancellations and re-bookings. 

If the decision is made to postpone, the track can "hold" the card or program of racing for up to 84 hours, and drivers, horses and post positions for the races stay the same. 

'It's no fun'

Changing race dates can upset the horses' training routines, McGuigan said, as they usually ramp up closer to race days.

But he said the trainers, drivers and owners agree safety must come first, and that wet conditions are disagreeable to most, including the horses. 

"Wet and sloppy are the worst" for racing in, McGuigan added. "It's no fun." 

Drake said track managers have commitments to make up the races and award the purse money involved, but it's difficult to find alternate dates because they already have a busy race schedule. 

"We're hoping December will be much kinder," Drake said.