Cloverdale’s Fraser Downs enjoyed a successful year of harness racing, says Dawn Lupul.
Lupul, manager of racing and communications for B.C. Racebook, said in a press release that the track saw the highest wagering increases in more than a decade.
“We are thrilled with the results this year,” she said. “Wagering is up significantly, and we’ve had incredible engagement with our product.”
She said along with the high numbers, Fraser downs put some money into the track, which also enhanced the experience for on-site spectators and online viewers.
“Fraser Downs also upgraded its facilities by installing LED lighting to enhance the visual experience of nighttime racing,” she added.
Lupul noted the spring meet (February to beginning of May) and the fall meet (September through December) garnered $14.2 million, which is $2.3 million more than last year—an 18.5 per cent increase over 2023.
“This record-breaking performance underscores the growing popularity of harness racing at Fraser Downs,” Lupul wrote. “We couldn’t be more thankful to the horseplayers and horsepeople who continue to make these increases possible."
She added that Fraser Downs has focused on “horseplayer-friendly initiatives” such as keeping “takeouts” low. (Takeouts are the percentage the track “takes out” from bets.) She said Fraser Downs’ takeouts are among the lowest at all harness racing tracks across North America with most bet types ser at 15 per cent.
“The addition of a second Pick 4 wager to each program proved particularly popular, further engaging bettors,” she explained.
Lupul noted that 2024 also saw a new voice join veteran Dan Jukich in the announcers’ box. Michael Misurka joined Jukich—a man Lupul called “the voice of B.C. racing.”
“Misurka brings fresh enthusiasm to the role and is gaining valuable experience under Jukich’s guidance,” she added.
Drivers, the horses and their trainers, and race fans will have to wait until mid-February for racing to resume the Cloverdale 5/8th oval. The spring meets starts up again on Feb. 13, 2025 when racing returns twice-weekly on Thursdays and Fridays until May. Post times are 7 p.m.
For more information on racing or wagering at Fraser Downs, visit bcracebook.com.