Less than one week until the horses and jockeys break through the starting gates at the Fort Erie Race Track. The thoroughbreds will return to the historic border oval for the 119th season of live racing on Tuesday, May 31 at the popular 4:15 twilight racing post time.
Opening day will feature an eight race card with more than 20 different jockeys, including last year’s leading rider Kirk Johnson, and leading female rider Melanie Pinto.
“We’re gearing up for another exciting season of racing,” said Tom Valiquette, chief operating and financial officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. “The horses and riders have been training daily and are ready to race. Our dirt and turf tracks are both in excellent condition. We’re in great shape for the upcoming season.”
This year’s season opener give-away is an “Alive and Kicking” tote bag, free with the purchase of a program, one per customer while supplies last.
After the races, Xprime will rock the stage at the Tiki Bar Patio and kick off the 2016 free summer concert series. Free concerts take place every Tuesday night after the races throughout the summer, and feature popular local bands such as Back in the Daze, the Bryce Moore Band, The Young Rebels, Off the Wall, the Garage Dawgs and more.
Sunday racing begins on June 12 at 1:50 p.m. Arrive early and visit the Farmers Market, running every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until the final race.
Fort Erie will host 40 race dates on Tuesdays and Sundays from May 31 to Oct. 18. The 81st running of the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown, will take place on Tuesday, July 26. The race is Canada’s richest stakes event run on a dirt surface, with a total purse of $500,000.
Parking and admission are always free.
For more information on live racing dates and special events, visit www.forterieracing.com.
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