Loop season finale cancelled

Snowfall and freezing temperatures in the Winnipeg region have forced the cancellation of the last card of the inaugural harness racing season of The Loop.

The track was forced to cancel, rather than postpone, as the regulatory body in Manitoba does not allow makeup dates.

The Loop, which was in the works for years, opened earlier this year with its first card on Aug. 5. The track brought harness racing back to Winnipeg for the first time since 1996, when Assiniboia Downs moved to only Thoroughbreds. Its opening was delayed several times due to rain affecting track construction, regulatory difficulties, among other struggles.

Blake Piwniuk was the top driver of the year, striking at 50.7 per cent with 37 wins in 73 starts. Trevor Williams won the trainer’s title with 33 victories in 81 starts, a 40.7 per cent clip.

Unofficial total handle on the 11 cards was $27,245.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink