A rainy day closes out the 2021 meet at Fort Erie Race Track

FORT ERIE, October 26 – The falling rain could not keep the fans away on closing day of the 2021 racing season at Fort Erie Race Track. However, for the safety of both horses and riders, the 39^th and final day of the meet was cut short due to inclement weather.

“Unfortunately, due to the continuous rainfall throughout the day we could not carry out the remainder of the card,” said Drew Cady, the general manager for the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC). “Despite our shortened card today, we still had a tremendous season, one in which we were able to welcome back fans who missed out on the 2020 racing season due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

The leading rider at this year’s meet, Chris Husbands scored 52 wins during the 124^th racing season at the border oval. Some of those victories included back-to-back wins with Fort fan favourite Pepperoni (Jul. 26/ Aug 31) as well as Wheat King (Jun. 22/29). Husbands also rode Red Equinox to victory in the Rondeau Bay Stakes on Prince of Wales Day, Sept. 14. 

“I had a really good start and I just continued on that momentum. I was blessed to ride good horses. The owners and trainers gave me good horses, which I really appreciated. Thanks to all the owners and trainers who gave me a shot and the opportunity,” said Husbands.

Trainer Julie Mathes secured the title of leading trainer for a second year in a row. During the 2021 season, Mathes won 23 races. On yesterday’s card she secured a victory with Team Win (in race nine) with jockey Omar Moreno aboard. In 2020, Mathes secured 29 wins. Bruno Schickedanz secured 16 wins, giving him the title of top owner at the border oval this year.

While yesterday’s ten-race card saw over a million in wagering, the shortened card on Tuesday saw close to $400,000 in wagering. In total, Fort Erie had $28.6 million in wagering for 2021.

With this racing season in the books, the border oval looks ahead to next year’s meet and has applied for 40 race days, operating on mostly Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning May 31 through to October 18.

For more information about Fort Erie Race Track, visit www.forterieracing.com.

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Photo: Chris Husbands guides Red Equinox to a win in the Rondaeu Bay Stakes (Sept. 14), Michael Burns Photography.

Hayley Morrison

Manager of Media & Communications

Fort Erie Race Track