The 2018 Fall race season at The Raceway at Western Fair District is set to kick off with the first program slated for Monday, October 1 at 6:15 p.m.

Live harness racing will take place each Monday and Tuesday (6:15 p.m.) and Friday (6:55 p.m.) through December 31.

The month of October will be a busy one at the London oval and the celebration will continue all month long with a fantastic promotion at the Top Of The Fair restaurant. Every Friday in October two can dine for the price of one -- just $39.99 -- while enjoying the Fall Harvest menu created by executive chef Neil Mackay.

Grand Opening festivities will take place on Friday, October 5, highlighted by the Dachshund Dash weiner dog races, sponsored by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. Three heats, featuring 10 weiner dogs in each, will be contested at 6:30 p.m. prior to that evening’s race card and then the top three finishers from each heat will come back for the finale after race two.

There will also be special draws and giveaways throughout the night, food specials at the Homestretch Grill and the Hands On Horses program giving fans a chance to ride behind a horse between races that night. The caretakers -- the people who look after the magnificent horses that race night in and night out -- will also be recognized as part of the National Caretakers initiative that has been happening at racetracks across the country this season.

“We are looking forward to another great season of racing and entertainment at The Raceway,” said Director of Racing Greg Blanchard. “October has become a really busy month for us and we’re pleased to offer this excellent promotion at the Top Of The Fair. When you combine this deal with exciting live horse racing you have one of the most unique and affordable dining experiences in the city.”

The month of October also features the second annual Veteran’s Classic on Friday, October 19 -- a night that honours our military veterans past and present in a fun and celebratory way. The 13th edition of Harness The Hope, in support of the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, will take place on Friday, October 26.

The second annual London Selected Yearling Sale will once again take place at the Western Fair District Agriplex the weekend of October 12-14. Following last year’s successful merger of the former Forest City and Standardbred Canada yearling sales, organizers are planning even bigger and better things for this year.

Ontario Racing’s newly-announced Autumn Series will kick off the opening-night program at The Raceway. The track will host events for two- and three-year-old colt trotters and filly pacers with the $20,000 added finals taking place on October 15. The last Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event of the season for three-year-old filly trotters is slated for Tuesday, October 2.

Condition sheets for the first week of the season are now posted on Standardbred Canada. To find out more, visit westernfairdistrict.com.

(WFD)