Salive returns for Clinton Raceway Season Opener with added Race Analysis

While the stands will be empty, and the gates closed to the public, one thing will remain certain, one of the best voices in harness racing will once again be in the announcers booth.

Not only will Peterborough native and long time Standardbred and Thoroughbred Announcer Frank Salive be calling the races, he’ll be offering race fans a between race analysis.

“Clinton Raceway is always a privilege to visit and work as in my view it is the quintessential example of how the roots of the sport are supposed to be preserved” explains Salive. “It's integration into the fabric of the community and region are, I would imagine, just like a Norman Rockwell painting of how small town Summer harness racing would have been.” he adds.

“It’s important, during this very different situation, that we keep our race fans engaged and informed” states Marketing Manager for the Huron County Oval, Jessica Carnochan. “Who better to do that, then one of the most accomplished Announcers in the history of the sport?”

“My own personal experience at Clinton Raceway dates back three decades, I had the privilege of working as the Toronto circuit announcer and had a front row seat to the rise of the Clinton based trotting mare Lifetime Dream all the way to her conquest of the 1993 Breeders Crown. In my own collection of almost 160,000 career races Lifetime Dream would go down in history as among the top two most emotional wins I have had the privilege to narrate. The other race in this vein for myself was the 2003 North America Cup upset by Yankee Cruiser after the untimely death of Brian Pinske.” states Salive.

“This season will be an adjustment for everyone involved, including our fans” Carnochan mentions. “We’re going to be taking some of our traditional Super Sunday Show games and entertainment and translating them to a digital version. While it’s not ideal, we hope it will fill some of the void” she adds.

As the 2020 live racing season commences at Clinton Raceway on Sunday, June 14, all of those involved hope it is a 'one off' situation whereby they cannot host their passionate, knowledgeable, and wonderful fans. In the meantime they will do their best to bring you as close as the TV and internet images allow to the unique excitement that Clinton Raceway provides as the great performances, equine and human, are certain to continue.