On a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, Truro Raceway opened their racing season with a lot of positivity. Despite there being no grandstand access for another 4 weeks, a large contingent of fans came out to enjoy live harness racing returning to the Bible Hill Oval to kick off the 2023 season.
Highlighting the 8-race card was the standout performance by Batterup Hanover and driver Paul Langille in the feature race of the day. The duo enjoyed a pocket trip behind American Risk and Todd Trites, who flew off the gate from post 7 and sped through fractions of 27.4, 58.3 and 128.2 and led to the top of the stretch, when Batterup pulled the pocket and sailed on by, winning by a length in 157.1. American Risk held for second, while St Charlesfireball finished 3rd. Owned by Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, NS, Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, NS Douglas Lowthers of Dartmouth, NS and Chantel Langille of Truro, NS, the 5-year-old Batting Line gelding made his first start of 2023 a winning one.
Also on the card was the sharp debut performance at Truro for a newcomer from Ontario, Little Taggs, who was sent off as the betting favourite and did not disappoint his supporters, sitting in 3rd through opening fractions cut out by Imalookertoo and Driver Danny Romo, through 28.3, 58.2 and 127.3 fractions. Driver Bruce McGean sent Little Taggs into the passing lane at the top of the stretch and he kept on trucking, engineering a 1 ¾ length victory in 158.0 over Imalookertoo who held for second, while Rusty Riley was third. That was a new lifetime mark for 7-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding, who is trained by McGean for the Hubtown Horse Owners Club of Lower Onslow, NS.
Fans responded to the many positive changes to the wagering menu and wagered $43,119.20 for the 8 race card. That compares to a very modest $10,530 wagered on opening day last season. Truro Raceway is very grateful to their fans for their tremendous support and look forward to seeing everyone next Sunday, with a post time of 1pm Atlantic or 12 noon Eastern time.
