From the Daily Graphic

Rich with history, tradition, and mythology, the Portagex Raceway is soon to be no more.

Traditionally slated as the final stop on the Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit, preliminary construction for the PCU Centre Multiplex has robbed Portage la Prairie race fans of a chance to say goodbye, as the year-end race, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the track has been moved to Miami.

The loss of the track, renowned throughout Manitoba for its speed and durability, is lamentable for all involved in the sport.

“It was the best track to be at,” said race horse owner, trainer, rider and St. Claude resident Dean Rey. “It was the best track to ride a horse on and give it a future somewhere else. There was a lot of fast miles out of that track.”

Rey’s fondest memory of the half-mile oval, was tying the track record of 1:57.30 set by Jacob Goertzen’s True Tyrant back in 1991, while piloting his horse Mid Summer Hardball. That record still stands as the fastest mile in Manitoba history.

For others, the most vivid memories were of sitting in the grandstands on a hot summer afternoon.

“Ian MacKenzie, the former mayor, was the race caller for the circuit and that’s one thing I’ll always remember,” said former MGWHRC president Murray Jackson. “He had a tremendous voice and could always do a good job of calling the races. His voice seemed to echo in those grandstands, it really added to the excitement.”