The Raceway at Western Fair District is hosting Caretaker Appreciation Day on Friday, October 9, the second day of the fall meet at the London-based half-mile track.

The caretakers -- the people who look after the magnificent horses that race night in and night out -- are recognized as part of Standardbred Canada’s National Caretaker Appreciation initiative that has been taking place at racetracks across the country this season, for the third consecutive year.

During the weekend of September 18 - 20, tracks, stables and training centres from across the country hosted events recognizing and rewarding caretakers in different ways, and the tracks that weren’t racing at that time had the option of hosting a fall event.

The event at The Raceway will be supported by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) who will provide HPI cards for one winner from each race on the card, and Ontario Racing who will provide some Ontario Sires Stakes swag for draw prizes. The Raceway will also offer a swag bag for the groom of each winning horse with random prizing for various gift cards throughout the night.

Post time for the card of racing on Friday, October 9 is 6:15 p.m. and in addition to Caretaker Appreciation, an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event for three- year-old pacing colts will be featured.

The 2020 fall race season at The Raceway at Western Fair District is set to kick off on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:15 p.m. Live harness racing takes place each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:15 p.m. through December 31. The change from the traditional Monday-Tuesday-Friday fall schedule will allow track officials more time to fully clean and disinfect the paddock building between race programs.