by Melissa Keith

At Monday’s (June 9) post-position draw for the Pepsi North America Cup, drawmaster Mark McKelvie made it clear that on Saturday night (June 14), Woodbine Mohawk Park will play host to one of North America’s best cards of the season for both watching and wagering. Mohawk general manager Heather Flaherty told HRU that the on-track experience would be well worth the trip to Campbellville, ON, something that she and her team have been working towards in recent years.

Back on May 17, Canada’s standardbred showplace hosted its annual fireworks and Family Fun Night. “Prior to COVID, ‘Fireworks’ was a very special night here at Woodbine Mohawk Park, so we were really happy over the last three years to bring it back, and really expose the track and all it has to offer to the community at large,” Flaherty said. “Having that free Family Fun Night, with magicians, and magic shows, and fun activities like face painting really just engages the community, with their families, to come out and be part of a celebration night… It’s basically the unofficial kickoff to our summer events.”

While online and simulcast handle is expected to be significant, Flaherty said that there will be plenty of attractions on-site for both serious players and casual fans.

“Moving into Pepsi North America Cup Night, there’s lots to offer,” she said. “There’s lots of kids’ crafts and fun activities that will be happening right here, in this events space [inside the grandstand]. Out on the apron, we’ve got line dancing, for our fun, active participants that will be here with us, along with just other places to enjoy our hospitality team’s food and beverage, and the best live racing there is.”

The Mohawk GM noted that while wagering online is convenient, there are compelling reasons to get back to the track. Post-pandemic, there are fewer public gathering places where people, particularly men and seniors, can get together to enjoy a night out with friends. The concept of the “third place,” originally introduced by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, refers to physical locations away from home and work. A good third place promotes mental health and social well-being by offering the opportunity for casual, unpretentious, and welcoming interactions with others who are regulars. A racetrack often makes an excellent third place.

Flaherty said she agreed “100 per cent” with this idea.

“We know that [online wagering platforms] make it easy, but getting out, coming back to the track, and listening to the announcer bring those horses down the homestretch, right to the finish… It’s the thunder; it’s the roar of the crowd screaming; it’s the energy that brings them back to the track,” Flaherty said.

According to Flaherty, the North America Cup card offers something for experienced bettors and those who are new to the game, especially if they attend in person. For some, it’s even a romantic occasion. “It’s a great night, whether it’s date night for the first time, because there’s a lot of those, or a wedding proposal; there is one coming,” she said. “It’s exciting at Mohawk Park; being so close to the action makes it all worthwhile.”

Flaherty drew attention to the advantages of an evening out in Campbellville, where issues like parking are less of a concern.

“In the Harvest Kitchen, you have dining and entertainment,” she said. “It’s better than going to downtown Toronto for dinner and a show. This is where the live action is; it’s exciting, casual, and fun. We have a full buffet for 500 guests in the Harvest Kitchen on Saturday night, plus the hospitality around the track is making sure that if you’re here for the first time, you’ll want to come back over and over again.”

On-track attendance is not officially calculated for major harness racing events today, yet it’s obviously beneficial to any racetrack’s bottom line when the public shows up for dinner, drinks, and betting.

“This is the chance to remind everyone about how great it is,” Flaherty said. “We race five nights a week, so there’s lots of opportunity to come. Whether it’s a Monday night or a Saturday night, there’s still lots of action here at Woodbine Mohawk Park.”

Raised in Miramichi, NB, Flaherty said her interest in harness racing grew from early visits to Prince Edward Island with her family.

“When I got here [to Ontario], that’s when I really got to experience and love it all over again,” she said. Now in her position as Mohawk GM for three and a half years, Flaherty said “it feels like home.”

While there can be cynicism and jadedness about efforts to promote attendance and on-track handle today, Flaherty is refreshingly positive and customer-oriented.

“We are constantly looking ahead to try and find areas to improve or enhance,” she said. “We listen to our patrons and say, ‘Well, what do you want? What would bring you back, time and time again?’ As we gather that intel, and we can find the operating dollars to make those changes, that’s what we’ve been doing… The track is in the best condition it’s ever been. The infield looks fantastic. The grounds are beautiful. It’s a really great place to be right now, a wonderful setting for the Pepsi North America Cup 42nd edition.”

Flaherty said the light shows after race 7 on Saturday nights have been popular with the on-track crowd.

“We have a special show for this weekend… that our broadcast team has designed and got ready for the light show,” she said. “That’s part of the renovation that we did to our track lights, turning them into LED and adding in the color component for the show. So, it’s just like the Rogers Centre; it’s the same system and we love being able to bring on the horses with that light show.”

The LED lighting upgrade was installed in early 2023, in partnership with Musco Lighting.

Flaherty emphasized that visiting Mohawk offered a memorable experience not found online.

“You can get close up to the paddock,” she said. “You can go on paddock tours. The kids can go on a [jog cart] ride in between races. We have a standardbred horse out front for the kids and families to get to feed and pet a horse, and be right up front. We’re so proud to have people right here and our community partners… Whether you’re visiting a group in our Community Corner or just wanting to sign up for an HPI [wagering] account, there’s lots of ways to be engaged on-site at Mohawk Park.”

One of the attractions will be a chance to name the second foal of Winbak Farms of Canada broodmare Bikini Genie, who will be in attendance with her Betterthancheddar offspring. The 6-year-old Sunshine Beach mare previously raced for two years for trainer Blake MacIntosh, coincidentally winning her first-ever qualifier at Mohawk on June 12, 2021.

Flaherty said she hopes that racing fans old and new will join the fun at Mohawk Saturday, for an experience as sweet and effervescent as the namesake sponsor of the Pepsi North America Cup. “Doors open at 4:30,” she said.