USHWA Youth Racetrack Review

August’s USHWA Youth Racetrack Review: Miami Fairgrounds

At age 24, Trey Colbeck isn’t a “youth” anymore, but he’s been a harness racing fan from his early years, and wants a wider audience to know about family-friendly Miami Fair racetrack. (Not to be confused with Miami, Florida or Miami Valley Gaming, Ohio.) Colbeck calls the Saturday afternoon races at Manitoba’s lone fair track racing this summer, and has been promoting the local product on social media.

“I was mostly just a fan. Then as a teenager, I started working at the fairs,” says the University of Winnipeg student. His great-uncle Doug Sexsmith owned many Standardbreds who raced in Manitoba and sometimes Alberta. From a young age, Trey enjoyed watching them in action. “My grandparents are pretty big fans. They always took me to the fairs as a kid.”

Fortunately, Miami has been able to host Manitoba fair dates and stake races that would have been shared by other provincial tracks in a normal, non-pandemic year. “Not many things can keep going through tough times like this,” says Colbeck, reflecting on the 2020 season and the longevity of the half-mile venue in a region where Thoroughbreds have greater popularity.

“I’m always open to expand our fan base and talk horses,” he notes, adding that spectators who might be considered too young to attend at some tracks are welcome to visit Miami. There is a $5 admission fee for adults, with free admission for accompanied children. Pari-mutuel wagering is offered on-track and via Canada’s Horseplayer Interactive ADW site, for fans of legal age to bet, but there’s no age restriction for the simple pleasure of enjoying the rural races in person. Up to fifty people can watch from the historic grandstand, while maintaining physical distance in the uncrowded outdoor setting.

“It’s a great track for kids, because it’s in a small town,” says the father of two. “You don’t have to worry about anything. You can let them run around. It’s a great place for kids to learn about horses and racing.” Trey’s sons Mason (5 years old) and Jackson (2 years old) are following the family tradition. While Jackson is interested in running around, “Mason likes to pick which horse is going to win. That’s the first thing he tells me when I see him: how many horses he picked who win,” notes a proud Colbeck. “He’s better than his dad!”

The Miami meet ends Saturday, September 12, unless a replacement date (September 19) is required. “When it’s plus-40 [degrees Celsius], the rain can come at any time,” observes the announcer, on the verge of wrapping up his first season, but almost certainly not his last. 

Know a young harness racing fan and/or participant who would like to share their story about the youth-friendly elements of their favourite track? The USHWA Youth Membership Committee welcomes submissions from young people who would like to share what makes their favourite track a great place to enjoy live racing, whether now or before COVID-19 restrictions (in provinces/states where attendance is currently restricted). Please contact USHWA Youth Membership Committee Chair Melissa Keith (mkeith71@gmail.com) if interested in taking part in this project.

Melissa Keith, chair, USHWA Youth Membership Committee