Defending champ American History returns to defend Kelti Burnett Memorial title
Friday night, Aug. 2, the spotlight will be shining brightly on Connell Park in Woodstock as the town celebrates Old Home Week. Live racing kicks off at 6 p.m.
Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) will feature a 10-dash card at the half-mile track, and race secretary Brent Briggs has assembled a quality field for the night’s premier race.
There is a non-betting race as the Standardbred Canada Aged Pacing series attracted just two starters and is sponsored by Standardbred Canada and HRNB.
Friday night’s premier event is the annual Kelti Burnett Memorial, featuring last year’s winner back to defend his title, Fredericton-owned American History. He has drawn post-three in the five-horse field.
Corey Ford of Woodstock is back as a major sponsor for the Kelti Burnett Memorial and has been a great partner for Old Home Week racing at Woodstock.
Owned by Patrick Hill of Fredericton, American History will be driven by Saint John native Dale Spence. Spence will pilot for his wife, McKenzie, who trains the horse. Friday night’s race is a tune-up for the 2024 Gold Cup & Saucer trials, which will take place in August on P.E.I.
He has been racing on the tough Woodbine Mohawk circuit in Ontario and has won this year in 1:48.2. American History won more than $1.8 million and sports a 1:47 lifetime record. He was a finalist last season in the prestigious aforementioned Gold Cup & Saucer in 2023.
American History captured last year’s Kelti Burnett in 1:55.1. He will be eyeing the track record held by Chewy Gross at the Robert McCain Memorial in 2006.
Owner Patrick Hill says he’s been looking forward to getting the horse home, settled, and excited about Friday night.
“It’s a great field to prepare for the Gold Cup elimination. It is great to bring American home to N.B first so the N.B. fan base can watch him go here at home,” said Hill.
Coming back to try and repeat in the Burnett Memorial was something he planned for the horse.
“Why not defend his win from last year? I’m hoping the weather cooperates and if it does you are going to see some speed. Great field and obviously the rail horse (Twin B Tuffenuff) is a game horse. ”
Hill expressed confidence in American History, driver Dale Spence and trainer Mackenzie Spence.
“We didn’t bring him all this way to hold back. I say let’s get it on and good luck to all the horses and their connections. Remember, anything can happen in a horse race,” he said.
Hall of Famer Gilles Barrieau is in town on Friday night and will pilot Governor’s Plate winner Twin B Tuffenuff for trainer Ron Matheson from P.E.I. He has drawn the favourable rail position and will be looking to upset the defending champion.
Rollwithhoddytoddy, winner of one of the Governor’s Plate elimination runs for Island trainer Trevor Hicken, will be part of the field. Tony Too Tall, a relative newcomer to the Maritimes, makes it two entries for Hicken. Blood Money and Dr. Mitchell Downey will score from the post-five slot.
Friday also features the New Brunswick Breeders stakes, with three divisions. One filly division will carry a purse of $15,000, and two colts and geldings will compete in two legs for a purse of $8,000 each.
Dusty Lane Dixie and Gilles Barrieau were given top billing by the race office on 7/5. She’s owned by Moncton’s David Lund. She’s a daughter of Pang Shui and has made over $42,000 in just eleven starts.
In the first colt division, it appears a two-horse race with Resuscitate and driver Todd Trites and Barrieau, with New Brunswick-owned Majestic Mason. He is owned by Steve Downey of Quispamsis.
Barrieau will also be guiding the likely favourite in the other N.B Breeders colt stake as he has the outstanding House Edge Hanover, owned by Everette Hanson of Maugerville. He took a new record this season of 1:54.2 in his last outing.
Post time for Friday night’s program is 6 p.m., and it features over $40,000 in purse money. If fans can’t make it to Connell Park in Woodstock, wagering is available through the HPI platform and at participating simulcast venues, including Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton.
Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to extend their gratitude to all Friday night’s program participants and offer a big thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors for supporting horse racing in New Brunswick.
Sponsors for the night include Corey Ford, which is sponsoring the Kelti Burnett Memorial, Woodstock First Nations, Exit Realty, the Percy Jones family, the Antworth family for the Dickinson Memorial, McLennan Strawberry Farm, the Town of Woodstock, Standardbred Canada and HRNB for the Atlantic mares series race, and Horse Racing New Brunswick for the N.B Breeders stakes.
