Judging by the names of incredibly talented performers nominated for this year’s Molson Pace and Forest City Pace at Western Fair Raceway, the 2010 versions could be the finest ever

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The Molson Pace, the track’s signature event introduced in 1972, has a record 43 top male pacers nominated for this year’s contest, which will go postward in eliminations on May 22 with the $225,000 (added) final on May 29.

Among those nominated is the 2009 O'Brien winner as Canada's Aged Pacer of the Year, Bigtime Ball. A winner of $496,000 last year at five, and over $1.1 million lifetime, the gelding is owned by his trainer and breeder Gord Irwin of Cobourg, Ont.

Another millionaire and O’Brien Award winner on the list of nominees is Nebupanezzar, Canada’s Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year in 2008, who won over $1 million in his debut season. However, the horse didn’t make a start last year at three after suffering an injury for owner/breeder Peter Pan Stables of Ohio and trainer Bob McIntosh.

Sixdaysontheroad has also been nominated. The four-year-old has won five of seven starts since shipping to Ontario from Alberta this year. One of those wins includes a four-length romp in a Cam Fella Series leg at Woodbine Racetrack last Sunday. Gord Remmen trains Sixdaysontheroad for owners Walter Moroz and Willie Wychopen of Alberta.

Four starters from last year’s $283,000 Molson Pace final are also on this year’s list in Silent Swing, Ramegade Bruiser, Lucky Man and Foiled Again.

36 Nominated For Forest City

Western Fair last year introduced the Forest City Pace, a distaff companion event for the Molson Pace. The $189,000 inaugural event was captured by Southwind Madonna, and that mare will try and defend her title again this season.

'Madonna,' a million-dollar-winning daughter of Camluck, is owned by her trainer Carl MacArthur and the Talacadac Stable of Caledon East, Ont. The mare won the inaugural Forest City Pace last October in 1:55.1. She’s been nominated once more for the event, which will go postward with eliminations on October 23. The $125,000 (added) final will take place on October 30.

Other starters from last year’s final nominated for the 2010 event include To Helen Back, A And Gs Confusion, Arts Diva and Four Starzz Meliss. Also included on the list of nominees is $2.2 million winner Southwind Tempo and Breeders Crown champion Hana Hanover.

(Western Fair)