Ontario-sired Mister Big is among ten of the sport's top pacers entered for eliminations for the second annual Bobby Quillen Memorial Pace, which will be contested Monday, October 13 at Harrington Raceway.
There will be two $30,000 divisions, with the top four finishers from each advancing to compete in the $317,000 (estimated) final on October 20.
Last year's event was won by Sylvia Burke and James Koran's Maltese Artist, who returns to defend his title as one of two entrants for trainer Mickey Burke, who will also be shipping Won the West in to contest the event.
Maltese Artist defeated the Virgil Morgan-trained Mister Big in their elim last year before winning the final from Post 8.
Only two of the horses scheduled to compete in the elims have recorded wins over the half-mile Harrington course -- Western Ace and Maltese Artist.
The event is named in honour of late Delaware legislator and Harrington Raceway board member, Bobby Quillen, who passed away in 2004. Quillen was an avid supporter of harness racing and a popular figure around the racetrack who always looked out for Delaware horsemen.
The draw results are listed below.
Eliminaton #1
PP - Horse (Odds, Driver)
1 - Took Hanover (3/1, Tim Tetrick)
2 - Maltese Artist (2/1, Yannick Gingras)
3 - Special Report (9/5, Larry Stalbaum)
4 - Palone Ranger (9/2, Ron Pierce)
5 - Booze Cruzin (5/1, Sam Widger)
Eliminaton #2
PP - Horse (Odds, Driver)
1 - Western Ace (4/1, Corey Callahan)
2 - Won The West (3/1, Greg Grismore)
3 - Mister Big (7/5, Brian Sears)
4 - Cinderella Guy (9/2, Daniel Dube)
5 - Kenneth J (7/2, Ron Pierce)
(With files from Harrington)