Memories of Sackville Downs trotted out in Truro

Cherished memories of harness racing atSackville Downs came back to life atTruro Raceway on Sunday at an event commemorating the now-defunct venue.

Dairy farmer John T. Cruickshankopened theSackville Downs harness racing track inLower Sackvillein 1955 and ithad many successful seasons but was eventually closed 38 years ago, in 1986.

Veteran driver Danny Romosaid the Remembering Sackville Downs day provided hima chance to reunite with colleagues he's known over the years.

Romo, 71, said he first raced at Sackville Downs when he was 19.

"A lot of the guys are getting older now and we're kind of dying offbut there's still lots of them left," hesaid."It was a great racetrack back in the day."

He said he was expecting to hear a "lot of lies" andstories through the day, which included nineraces with former Sackville Downs drivers and the familiesof former drivers in attendance.

Gary Fraser, one of the organizers of Sunday's event, said a lot of work went into letting people know about it.

The 78-year-oldmade about 170 phone calls to spread the word and said seeing the event come to fruitionmade it all worthwhile.

Speaking before the 1 p.m. start time, Fraser said he had already seenpeople at the event that he hadn't seen in decades.

"It's going to be a lot of old faces seeing each other," he said."All of us old guys are putting name tags on so we know who each other is when we see them."

Dave Carey, a former trainer and driver at Sackville Downs, said he was also enjoying catching up with people he hadn't seen in a long time. He said many of them had arrived days before the event to socialize with former colleagues and competitors.

Carey said Sunday would markthe last driveof his career.

"Iquit two years ago so I wasn't expecting this one," Carey said."They give me a bye to race today and I was allowed to drive so I'm driving."

A display of memorabilia from the Sackville track was on display at the Truro Raceway grandstand. Asilent auction was also held with proceeds going to Colchester and Lower Sackville food banks.

Fraser saidit would be great if younger people want to continue the Remembering Sackville Downs eventbut said it was a "one-shot deal" for him.

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