The 54th season of live harness racing at Mohawk Racetrack is set to begin this Thursday (April 13).

The 2017 meet will run from April 13 through to October. The final number of race dates for the meet is pending regulatory approval.

Live racing will be offered every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings will be added to the schedule in June for the duration of the meet.

The highlight of the 54th season is the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup on Saturday, June 17. The 34th edition of Canada’s richest harness race promises to be the biggest event in the history of the classic race.

Over $3 million in total purses will be up for grabs on the stakes-filled card, which will include the Fan Hanover, Goodtimes, Armbro Flight, Roses Are Red and Mohawk Gold Cup.

Off the track, a pre-race concert featuring country stars Kira Isabella and Jojo Mason will get the party started. Fans will be able to take part in giveaways and contests, visit the beer garden, try a variety of special food items, get their ‘First Bet on Us’ and receive a free hat with admission.

Admission to this year’s Pepsi North America Cup is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 to 17 and children under 12 are free. Tickets can be pre-purchased through Ticketmaster.

The always popular Fireworks and Family Fun Night is scheduled for the Victoria Day long-weekend in May. Live racing, activities for all ages and a spectacular fireworks show will take place on Saturday, May 20.

The very best pacers and trotters in harness racing will continue to converge on Mohawk Racetrack throughout the entire season for Grand Circuit action.

The Canadian Pacing Derby highlights a stakes-filled card on Saturday, September 2. The oldest pacing event in Canadian racing will feature heavyweight older pacers battling for a purse of $550,000.

The Labour Day weekend card also features the Champlain Stakes for two-year-old pacers and Simcoe Stakes for three-year-old trotters.

New in 2017, the $700,000 Metro Pace and $500,000 Shes A Great Lady find a new home on the stakes calendar. The signature events for two-year-old pacers will have its own night to step into the spotlight on Saturday, September 23.

A week before the rookie pacers shine bright, the $650,000 Canadian Trotting Classic and $600,000 Maple Leaf Trot will feature the best trotters from around the world on Saturday, September 16.

Over $5 million in purses will be up for grabs during September’s Grand Circuit action at Mohawk.

The wagering menu this season continues to offer all the usual signature and popular wagers. A pair of guaranteed pools will be offered nightly, as the $40,000 Pick-5 and $50,000 Early Pick-4 hold their regular spots on the card.

Fans and horseplayers will have a new way of getting to the track this season. Milton Transit has added a bus route that starts from the Milton GO Station and makes a stop at Mohawk Racetrack.

Bus 62 Campbellville has service to Mohawk each day of the week, including extended hours on Friday and Saturday evenings to allow racing fans the opportunity to catch all the exciting action.

For more information regarding the Milton Transit Campbellville route, click here.

An official ‘Welcome Back’ to live racing at Mohawk will take place on Saturday (April 15).

Live music will greet fans upon arrival and several of Mohawk’s top drivers will be on hand to welcome fans and hand out a promo filled calendar with a coupon to be redeemed during the meet. There will also be live music to entertain fans leading up to first-race post time.

A variety of dinning specials will be available throughout the meet and fans can find out more about everything happening at Mohawk by visiting mohawkracetrack.com

Post time for each night of live racing is 7:30 p.m., expect for special events in which an adjusted post time will be announced in advance.

(WEG)