Live harness racing will return to Western Fair Raceway on Friday, October 3, 2008. On hiatus for the summer, the fall race card will feature races on Friday and Saturday nights with a new post time of 7:05 p.m. Monday and Tuesday afternoon race cards will start at 3:05 p.m., an hour earlier than usual.
“Post times have been modified to better position Western Fair Raceway as a more competitive simulcasting product,” says Hugh Mitchell, Western Fair Association’s Chief Operating Officer.
October will be busy month for area drivers and horses who race in London. On Friday, October 10, Western Fair Raceway will host the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series for two-year old filly pacers. The following Friday, October 17, some of the leading female drivers will be on hand for the track’s annual ‘Harness the Hope’ fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Friday, October 24 will be the first leg of the Middlesex County Pacing Series, followed by the first leg of the Trotting Series the next night. Wrapping up the month will be the OSS Gold Eliminations and the second leg of the Middlesex County Pacing Series on Friday, October 31.
The 2008-09 race season will feature approximately 130 race dates with purses averaging $90,000 per date.
The most significant impact of the racing operation at Western Fair, in partnership with OLG Slots, is the $60 million effect the racing and gaming operation has on the local economy.
From breeders to blacksmiths, trainers to farmers, there is a broad agricultural industry that supports area racing. The benefits also extend to urbanites who participate in racing and gaming entertainment.