Saturday is a busy day, as most Saturdays are throughout the year.
But this Saturday, being Thanksgiving Weekend, will heighten the level of activity as numerous events are crammed one on top of the other.
Among the sporting events in front of us Saturday is the final card of the 2012 Harness racing season at Hanover Raceway.
Although it’s still a couple of days away, I think it’s fair to say Saturday’s afternoon card at 1 pm will be bittersweet for many.
Like the conclusion of any race season at Hanover, there will be a mix of good memories from 2012 with the annual reluctance to accept the season is ending.
This year, those emotions will be compounded many times over, with many wondering if the last card at Hanover Raceway for 2012 will be the last card ever.
Those connected to Hanover Raceway assure me there will be racing in 2013.
But what they can’t say is in what form it will be delivered.
Will they have a reduced season ?
Will they have a Summer Series only ?
Will the purse money make breeding and training horses viable for the horsemen ?
Hanover Raceway can’t say, because they don’t know. And likely, they won’t know until the Spring, thanks to the ruling Liberal Government in Ontario who are amazingly mute on this issue.
So more than ever before, Hanover Raceway’s final race card of the year on Saturday afternoon will carry a high level of uncertainty and a tinge sadness.
I’m Fred Wallace