The harness racing season finale at the National Equestrian Centre this weekend promises to be an emotional one for Lee Raynor Jr.

The experienced owner and trainer has decided to retire from the sport after more than three decades of participation.

“After the weekend I am going to retire from racing altogether,” Raynor told The Royal Gazette.

“I have been involved between here and Indiana for over 30 years, so I have been at it for a long time and I’m getting tired. We’ve been at it and pushing along and maybe it’s time to say goodbye.

“This decision didn’t come easy and I wrestled with myself, especially when you love something you’ve been a part of for years. I am not enjoying it as I used to so when you reach that point it’s time to call it.

“The dynamic right now is not what it used to be and the track needs to change.”

Raynor is also contemplating whether to enter his top stallion, Special Gold, in the prestigious Champion of Champions this weekend, which features the 12 fastest ponies on the island.

Expectations are high as Raynor’s pony is top-ranked going into the event after producing the season’s fastest time of 1:02 flat with driver Kiwon Waldron at the helm.

“I am not sure whether I am going to go in or not,” Raynor said.

I am going to analyse it and decide whether I am going to go in the Champion of Champions or just do the regular races and try to go for time again.

“Sometimes when you get in those big championships you get caught in between horses that may not be as fast and it slows everything up, so I will see what I am going to do. I am not quite sure and will analyse and meditate on it.”

Raynor is also undecided about the future of his stallion beyond this season.

“I am not sure whether I am going to retire him altogether or if he will be under new ownership,” he said.

“If it’s not under new ownership then I am going to send him back to Indiana for breeding, so it’s a decision I have to make too. But after this weekend I will be finished. I am going to bow out and possibly he will too.”

Special Gold produced the fastest time of 1:03 flat on the way to victory in the final heat in the Free for All division at the National Equestrian Centre last Saturday.

“We had the fastest time of the night, but the track doesn’t seem to be as fast,” Raynor added. “It’s heavy in some areas and all you can do is stay to the wicket and try your best.”

Bellhaven Stables’ mare Double Time and Mello Family’s gelding War Machine produced the second fastest time of 1:03/4 in the opening heat in the Free for All division, which the former won by a nose.

“She feels great and I am impressed with how she is running,” Double Time trainer/driver Candyce Martins said.

“She feels strong and I think she is ready for Champion of Champions. She feels really good.”

War Machine is also in good form heading into his Champion of Champion title defence, according to driver Darico Clarke.

“This is the last hurrah, so we’re just going to go and have fun, and he runs better when it’s more fun to him,” he said.

“He’s just a special horse so my expectations are high as it is. I just have to sit there and drive him. He’s just ready, that’s all I can say.”

War Machine won the third heat in the Free for All division with Maurice Raynor’s gelding Rockeyed Optimist, and driver Kamali Tucker, winning the remaining heat.

“Last weekend he was not the best that I have seen him,” Rockeyed Optimist owner/trainer Maurice Raynor. said.

“Some areas of the track were a little heavier than other sections but I go about the races positively no matter how the track conditions are.

“I am pleased as this was his first full season in Free for All time bar, but it’s always a work in progress when you have a new driver [Tucker] who shows she has the talent and tries her best to guide Rocco. Kamali is doing a good job at putting him through the race paces and is a keen learner.

“We will see how Champion of Champions goes this coming weekend. Anyone of the ponies that have qualified to enter could rise up and be counted on day.”