The excitement behind horse racing in Lacombe is back.

All bets were off, but it didn’t seem to matter at the Track on 2 Horse Racing and Event Centre on Sunday (Sept. 17) as community members came out to enjoy some friendly competition.

Track on 2 partnered up with Alberta Standardbred Horse Association and hosted exhibition races free of charge.

One of three new owners Kyla Belich said the event was kind of thrown together last minute, but was excited with how it turned out.

“We were asked by Alberta Standardbred Horse Association to host some exhibition races a couple of weeks ago and we seized the opportunity, pulled things together and got the track ready for the crowd.”

Belich said she’s not sure if they’ll be any more races before winter hits, but guarantees it will be in full operation by spring.

Luke Ouellette and his wife made the trip from Sylvan Lake and said the track is a great draw for all of Central Alberta.

“It’s right along the highway so there’s great exposure and it’s just adding one more thing for people to do and maybe bring some tourism to Central Alberta.”

The venue is home to the only one-mile dirt track and 7/8-mile grass track in Western Canada.