McClure Day a rousing success at Hanover

Harness racing fans at Hanover Raceway got to meet locally grown star driver Bob McClure on Saturday (Jul. 9) as the track hosted a day in his honour and fundraiser.

Bob McClure Day celebrated the O’Brien Award-winning reinsman, who grew up around the track and called it home for much of his early career. It also raised funds for the Bruce Grey Mentorship program, which provides mentors to youth in need of one.

“There’s people that matter to our particular clientele, and we thought (it would be great to) partner up with charities, and to honor some of those people, and to give people the opportunity to be closer to the drivers, to have a meet and greets with them, and to acquaint themselves with them,” said Hanover Raceway General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons. “Not only just watching them in a race is a good opportunity for everyone, and we think it helps bolster additional fan support.”

Fitzsimmons said the crowd was larger than average and that he attributes the boost to McClure’s involvement. Fans experienced a meet-and-greet and autograph signing with McClure, who most notably won the 2019 Hambletonian with Forbidden Trade. The track sold merchandise, such as a t-shirt and tumbler mug bearing the driver’s colours, as well as race-worn saddle cloths. They also held a 50/50 draw and a silent auction.

“It was a very strong day,” Fitzsimmons said. “And we were more than happy with it. I think our fans were definitely into what we were doing today. And they supported us well.”

All proceeds, totaling more than $5,000, went to the Bruce Grey Mentorship. The local Hanover charity is committed to serving youth from ages six to 16 in need of an adult mentor. It strives to promote interpersonal skills, organize group activities, and create a safe environment for the youth to develop.

Fitzsimmons was proud to support the organization and said it was important to McClure.

“They matter to us significantly locally, and they do incredible work in our area,” Fitzsimmons said. “And that particular charity resonated with Bob – he likes to help youth-oriented charities, and he was very (enthusiastic about) being part of this right from the start with Bruce Grey Mentorship being the charity.

“So, I think that it was meaningful for us to be able to contribute to their organization in a significant way today, and I know it really mattered to Bob to be part of it and to be able to contribute like that as well.”

Hanover Raceway is proactive with fan-oriented promotions. Along with Bob McClure Day, the track will host Trevor Henry Day later this season. It was a founding member of the Ontario Women’s Driving Championship in 2021 and will host other events to foster fan involvement this year.

Fitzsimmons said it is an important undertaking that the industry should improve upon.

“We are really good at event marketing, we have a lot of good ideas that we’d like to share with other people and draw people to a racetrack,” he said. “I think our business doesn’t do a good enough job of highlighting both the drivers and the horses in our business and give them the spotlight that they deserve other than running the races.

“That particular aspect of our business is way overlooked – it’s not overlooked at Hanover Raceway. We certainly want to tell those stories, and I think it’s resonating with our customers, quite frankly. I’d like to see a lot more of it in our business and hopefully we will.”

Trevor Henry Day will also include a visit from 2021 North America Cup winner Desperate Man, whom Henry drives. Fans will be able to meet, pet, and take photos with the horse. The event is set for Jul. 23. On the night of the Dream Of Glory, Hanover’s signature race, attendees will have a similar experience with a horse from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

On the track on Saturday, Gala Halo (Archangel, 2:02.2, Jonathan Drury) and Say Something (Muscle Mass, 2:02.3, Tyler Borth) won the divisions of leg 3A of the Prospect Series for three-year-old trotting fillies.

Following the event, McClure traveled to The Meadowlands in New Jersey to drive in a Meadowlands Pace elimination and a Graduate Series final.

Hanover Raceway will be back in action on Saturday, Jul. 16.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink