Clinton Raceway’s fifth edition of Legends Day, scheduled for August 23, is stacking up to be the most fun-filled and spectacular yet

. Loads of special promotions, giveaways and innovative features promise to have a record crowd basking in the track’s unique Sunday afternoon family-oriented atmosphere.

“Our previous Legends Days have been our best four days ever and raised over $100,000 for local charities,” says Clinton Raceway general manager Ian Fleming, who is busy masterminding changes and additions to this year’s edition.

Held every second year since the launch in 2001, the event attracts some of the greatest names in North American harness racing, making them readily available to sign posters and kibitz with fans. Invited drivers are all Canadian Racing Hall of Fame members and in many cases, also sport commemorative rings from the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.

Joining U.S.-based reinsmen John Campbell, Jim Doherty, Clint Galbraith and Ray Remmen this year will be Doug Brown, Bud Fritz, Bill O’Donnell and Ron Waples. They’ll all be competing in a $20,000 Invitational Trot which will involve eight lucky patrons in the post parade and see one walk off with $1,000 in cash.

Clinton’s also playing host to a reunion of past and present participants in the Ontario Harness Horse Association’s youth and adult harness racing camps, inviting them each to be a VIP for the day. They’ll be entertained in the new 'Legends Tent' and have a chance to interact with the drivers.

The recently-completed Regional Agricultural and Equine Centre of Huron (REACH), which adjoins the Raceway property, will be getting in on the action by offering organized tours of their state-of-the-art facility at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Another contributor to crowd appeal will be the Championship of a segment of Can-Am’s highly popular Wind Rider Series, staged on the racetrack following the final race. The event combines elements of trail, reining, and dressage and is scored on the bond between horse and rider. Eliminations will be held the previous day in the REACH arena to choose the three finalists. The three to five-minute freestyle portion is sure to delight and impress all horse lovers.

The jam-packed afternoon will be capped by a roast beef dinner in the arena on site where the legends will be head table guests.

“We’re excited,” Fleming says. “It’ll be a fun day for everyone, and hopefully raise a bunch of money for the Clinton Hospital.”

(Clinton Raceway)