Past and present harness racing greats converge on Clinton this month

The Clinton Raceway will host the national horse driving championships. CTV London’s Scott Miller has the details.

July 26 will be a huge day for the Clinton Raceway.

“We’re hosting the National Driving Championships. So that’s a StandardBred Canada initiative, and it features the top drivers from all across Canada coming here to little old Clinton,” said Clinton Raceway Marketing Manager Jessica Carnochan.

That’s the two best harness drivers and their horses from Quebec, Ontario, Western, and Atlantic Canada duking it out for a shot to represent Canada at the World Driving Championships.

“We’re looking forward to being shown on a national stage. This is something that’s never happened here in Clinton before, so we’re really, really excited to host this event,” said Carnochan.

The National Driving Championships will coincide with the 25^th anniversary of Legends Day, where harness racing’s past champions come out of retirement for one more shot at glory.

Names like Doug Brown, Carl Jamieson, and Steve Condren will be taking part. So, literally the best harness racers and horses, past and present, will be racing at Clinton’s oval two Sunday’s from now, with the 25^th anniversary of Legends Day, and the almost 20^th running of the National Driving Championships.

“We put in an application last year and we were granted it early this spring. So it’s been nonstop planning since then, working really closely with StandardBred Canada. They come for the entire weekend, so they’re staying here Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with events happening all weekend long,” said Carnochan.

Hosting this double bill of harness racing royalty on one day could set Clinton up to host even more “national” races in the summers to come.

“It is a big deal. We’re really, really looking forward to this. We have such a great crew and team here at Clinton Raceway that I know that we can put on a great show, and be shown across the national stage, and be really proud of what we have to offer here in little Clinton,” said Carnochan.