Weekly News
Georgian
Scott Rowe is part of a harness racing family that spans three generations. The Rowe name is synonymous with the founding of Windsor Raceway, Barrie Raceway, and now Georgian Downs. Scott drove his first horse at eleven years of age and by sixteen was a licensed driver. For the next 27 years he drove over 20,000 competitive races and many thousands more miles jogging and training at one of the Rowe family farms. From 1974 to 2005 he served as Director and Chairman of the Board for Barrie Raceway and Chairman of the Board for Georgian Downs Limited. His stories have appeared on this website, as well as twice weekly in the local Barrie Examiner newspaper. The stories often include anecdotes and recollections from a lifetime of involvement in many aspects of the industry, recalling famous horses, drivers and some of the colourful characters that made impressions on his life.
Man versus Horse
The dust has settled at Georgian Downs Racetrack after another exciting Xtreme Horsepower extravaganza and all would agree it was a fantastic Saturday night of harness racing entertainment.
Actually it was much more than just harness racing as events included miniature pony races, mascot races and even horseless carriage events where people pulled the sulkies instead of the usual four legged means of power. With long races, short races and dashes going in both backwards and forwards directions, along with various gaits and sizes of fields of contestants, it was a fun filled night for both the participants and the large crowd in attendance.
Now just when I thought I had seen every possible type of equine competition at Xtreme Horsepower I am reminded that another annual event in
In Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, every year since 1980 a 22-mile long cross country marathon has been held with a most definite twist. Billed as the Man versus Horse Marathon, just as the name implies, human runners go up against riders and horses.
The famous author Mark Twain once said “It is a difference of opinion that makes a horse race.” In the case of this special event in
Naturally the first few years of the event were a work in progress as the founders fine tuned the rules of engagement. Even the most confident human proponents admitted that on a normal race course over a long distance a horse and rider would naturally have an insurmountable advantage so the marathon trek was designed to start from the town square and include forests, footpaths, hilly farm land and open moors. Perhaps most importantly common sense returned as the effects of the pub suds wore off and it was agreed that the two legged contestants could have a slight time advantage over their four legged rivals. Currently that amounts to a 15 minute head start.
The event is carefully monitored for participant safety and all contestants both human and equine must undergo periodic medical exams through the course of the race. Just like more normal cross country rallies, the time taken for these mandatory stops is deducted from the overall time to finish.
So carefully laid out is the staggered start and the challenges of the course that the resulting finishes have had some surprising close outcomes.
So far humans have won the event twice in 2004 and 2007, still giving a clear 9-1 advantage to the four legged contestants. It is not known how many of the hundreds of human entrants have stopped along the way at Green’s pub before, during or after the great race.
To my knowledge no innkeeper or tavern owner has proposed any similar type of race from downtown Barrie as yet but I can still hope to perhaps one day see this become part of the Xtreme Horsepower venue.
As Georgian Downs demonstrated last Saturday evening, anything is possible.
Extreme Strategy – August 28, 2010
The much heralded Xtreme Horse Racing returns to Georgian Downs this evening and there is anticipation in the air. Everything that can possibly be done to make things appear out of the normal has been carefully contemplated by the creative minds at Georgian Downs and their partners at Standardbred
Part of the appeal of Xtreme Horse Racing is that the unpredictability factor of putting horses and drivers in a new situations rises proportionately to how unusual the particular race is. Handicappers can be assured that the results will often times be unexpected and surprising, with the possibility of long shot payouts the norm. Long time students of the racing form are cautioned not to spend too much time studying their programs as they might miss out on all the exciting entertainment activities planned for the fans between races!
Harness horses are creatures of habit spending long periods repeating tried and true training methods. For example when horses are taught to jog slow conditioning work they always go clockwise around the track and then go their faster miles and races in the opposite direction. What’s a racehorse expected to think if these simple rules are reversed? Watch the Xtreme Rewind to find out.
Another strategy that will be problematic this evening is the sprinting style races which go Xtremely short distances. Normally harness horses are taught to move over to the rail lane when the starting gate wings fold in order to save ground. In a dash that lasts 12 or 13 seconds for an eighth of a mile, there is obviously no time to worry about getting away in good position! Drivers will be coaxing their charges to go straight and directly to the finish line and as fast as possible.
Other interesting challenges in the long distance races will keep drivers on their toes. Since almost all horse races in
Large fields of horses are something that North American drivers seldom encounter either. Since most races are limited to nine or ten horses, having eighteen in a race is like driving on the
Even the Ontario Racing Commission judges will have their hands full trying to ‘overlook’ some normal racing rules. Drivers are fined for going too slow at the start of a race, obviously something that is less important in a marathon distance race while usually they may also be penalized for allowing a horse to move into a favourable rail position in front of them. This might be waived if the driver is trying to get an outside horse out of the way so he can make his move. Above all else, the judges will be watching for safe driving to prevent injuries to horses and their teamsters.
When I was a harness driver such exciting events were never contemplated so I can’t say I have had the fun of participating. I sense though that too much strategizing would be futile tonight. Better to go with the flow and let instincts and good judgement prevail.
The famous British politician Benjamin Disraeli once said “The most dangerous strategy is to try and jump a deep chasm in two leaps.”
Extreme Horsepower 2010 – August 24, 2010
Georgian Downs Racetrack is proud to present the fourth edition of Xtreme Horsepower this coming Saturday, August 28th. With its cosponsor Standardbred
“Xtreme is the biggest party of the year at Georgian Downs. For racing fans, it offers something that can’t be seen anywhere in the world,” says Chris Roberts, Director of Racing Operations. “Of course, we’ve gone back to the drawing board to keep things fresh. Any fan of harness racing is going to want to mark their calendar.”
In the Xtreme tradition there will be a mix of the best from the earlier editions of Xtreme Horsepower with several new wrinkles. Saturday’s card features five 18-horse dashes, ranging in distance from one mile to 2-1/2 miles. The Xtreme Sprint and Xtreme Battle return at reduced distances of 1/8 miles and 5/8 miles respectively. Add in the Xtreme Rewind, raced clockwise, the Xtreme Shotgun, raced from a walking start, and the Xtreme Showdown, a national grudge match at 1-7/8 miles and it' a card unlike any other on the planet. Over $250.000 in purse money is up for grabs.
Confused by the Xtreme terminology? Here’s an explanation of the thrilling races planned:
Xtreme Battle: Speed and stamina are tested in this heat-racing showdown at five-eighths of a mile. Featuring two nine-horse eliminations will be carded with the top pacers return for a showdown finale.
Xtreme Shotgun: Rapid acceleration will be key as a field of trotters cover two laps of the Georgian Downs strip from a walking start. The first horse to cover the 1-1/4 mile distance takes home the lion’s share of $20,000.
Xtreme Mile: A conventional distance meets an unconventional field size. Eighteen pacers will cover a one-mile distance with a $20,000 pot of gold on the line.
Xtreme Sprint: Blink and you’ll miss it! The Xtreme Sprint returns at a distance of about one-eighth of a mile. Open to all speed demons, a purse of $15,000 awaits.
Xtreme Rush: A little more distance, but all the speed you can muster. Nine pacers will hit full acceleration in this three-eighths mile sprint.
Xtreme Rewind: Throw the rule book away, because this 1-1/4 mile dash is being contested clockwise which is backwards to normal race style. Trotters and pacers will each have a go at it in separate races.
Xtreme Challenge: Perfect for those trotters and pacers that could ‘go around again’. An extra lap is added to the usual one mile distance and double the number of starters.
Xtreme Showdown: Whether you’re local or “come from away” as the east coasters like to say, everyone’s “at home” in the Xtreme Showdown. Horses representing each of
Xtreme Classic: The ultimate test of endurance. Trotters for the ‘grand daddy’ of them all – a four lap, 2-1/2 mile battle of attrition.
An excited Roberts adds, “This event is all about the fans and the day is absolutely filled with events and attractions for everyone.”
To pack in all the excitement both on and off the track, post time has been moved ahead to 6:00PM. It’s going to be a great night to be a harness racing fan or the perfect night to become a new one!