Forty years ago on October 1, 1980, a career in harness racing began for me with a position as publicity assistant at Flamboro Downs. It was a foot in the door to what was the best seat in the house for four decades. 

A year later, this Ottawa Valley boy moved on to become assistant editor at The Canadian Sportsman. That lasted six years before opportunity came knocking to become marketing manager and Trot Magazine editor at the Canadian Trotting Association (later Standardbred Canada). 

In 2006 I parted company with that organization and subsequently launched The Harness Edge magazine and website with the best team of people in the game. Three years ago I closed the company and retired when the business model was no longer relevant. Without subsidy monies from some outside source, the company was not sustainable. 

Now after three years of Boredom in Brantford, Ontario and just a toehold in the racing game through a column in The Hamilton Spectator newspaper, The Harness Edge is back… sort of. 

There is no magazine or news and video website. Instead there will be a semi-regular blog offering my take on a variety of racing events and issues. This will be my opinion and mine alone. Over the years, I did very little editorializing because I felt known really cared what I thought. For the most part I feel the same way but I’ve been encourage to use my voice and experience to do otherwise. 

There are a number of story lines that deserve to be addressed but have not been for whatever reasons. I believe I can keep this interesting two or three times a week. 

Social media is a presence I am troubled by. The lack of respect and civility that often comes forward is appalling. This blog will not go down that path so we are not making provisions for comment. If someone wishes to do so they can via other avenues. 

The blog is not intended to be a great debate. It is nothing more than one man’s opinion. 

We’ll do our best to provide some thoughtful dialogue - no rants allowed. Thank you having the interest.