The Raceway at Western Fair District has finalized the details for what promises to be one of the biggest days in Canadian harness racing this season when it hosts the inaugural Camluck Classic program on closing night, Saturday, May 26.

Killer Martini, himself a son of Camluck who started his racing career at ‘The Raceway,’ will head north of the border for owner-trainer Ricky Bucci and rounds out the star-studded field of eight pacers. The gelding has been a regular in the Open ranks at Yonkers Raceway where he recently upended follow Camluck starters Bit Of A Legend and Dr J Hanover in a leg of the George Morton Levy Series.

Killer Martini, pictured victorious at Yonkers Raceway (Mike Lizzi)

The $150,000 Camluck Classic will feature many of the sport’s best older pacers, including a pair of past winners and the fastest horse in Canadian harness racing history.

The starters for the Camluck Classic in alphabetical order include:

Bit Of A Legend
Bettor Memories
Dr J Hanover
Easy Lover Hanover
Evenin Of Pleasure
Killer Martini
Rockin Ron
Sunfire Blue Chip

More than $500,000 in purses will be offered up on the 12-race program which will get underway at 6:55 p.m.

“We are very pleased with the field we’ve assembled this year,” said Greg Gangle, assistant raceway manager. “We feel we’ve put together an all-star lineup. The race is shaping up nicely and it’s sure to be a ‘must see’ event.”

The ‘Camluck’ program will feature a powerful undercard which will include the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies. It will provide fans with their first look at this year’s crop of Ontario’s finest.

A quartet of City of London Series finals will also be contested that night with more than $100,000 up for grabs for three-year-old colts and fillies on both the trot and pace.

“It’s certainly our biggest night of the season and we want to finish it off on a high note,” said Gangle. “As always, we have a lot going on that night in terms of promotions, but we want the racing on track to be the focal point. We’re working hard to put on the best program possible and hope to have something for everyone.”

Below are the event details for this year’s Camluck Classic:

Promotions

• VIP Infield Experience (tickets available online at camluckclassic.ca)

• Draws for Trackside Music Festival Tickets and 40-inch TV

• Draws for Beer and Barbecue Show tickets

• Molson Party on the Patio

• Camluck Classic Cheerleader Contest ($350 in cash to be won)

• Special Guest Mini Horse greeting patrons at the entrance

• Hat and T-shirt tosses throughout the night in the Grandstand and on the Patio

• National Anthem performed by rising country music star Julia Haggarty

• Scratch & Win programs (Hundreds of prize items to be redeemed)

Wagering Menu (15 per cent takeout wagers)

• $5,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-3

• $10,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-4

• $15,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-4

• Three Super Hi-5 Wagers (races 7, 10 and 12)

• 3 per cent cashback on wagers through HPI

(The Raceway at Western Fair District)