The Raceway at Western Fair District has announced the return of the Camluck Classic after a two-year hiatus.

The race's namesake stallion was unraced at age two, earning his place in the Canadian and U.S. Halls of Fame as an iron-tough older campaigner and renowned sire. Also unraced for two years, the $150,000 Camluck Classic makes its long-awaited return to The Raceway at Western Fair on May 27. 

In 2018, Seelster Farms became title sponsor of the Grand Circuit race that dates back to 1972. The Labatt, then Molson Pace was naturally renamed in honour of Camluck (p, 5, T1:48.4m; $1,003,260), who stood at the Lucan, Ont. breeding farm for 23 years. While he passed away in 2015, Camluck's legacy of durable speed continues: His sons won the event in 1998 (Any Excuse, part of a triple dead heat), 2001 (Intrepid Seelster), 2006 (Our Lucky Killean) and 2008 (Eagle Luck); a grandson won the 2009 edition (Stormaway).  

The Raceway's 1:50.1h track record was established in the 2018 Camluck Classic by Rockin Ron (p, 5, 1:47.2s; $1,836,877), driven by Louis-Philippe Roy for trainer Ron Burke, in the gelding's fastest-ever winning mile on a twice-around oval. The 1:50.3h London record for pacing stallions belongs to Evenin of Pleasure (p, 7, 1:48.3s; $1,319,717), set in the 2016 edition for Sylvain Filion and Richard Moreau.  

The names of the pacers entered in the 2022 renewal remain a closely-guarded Raceway secret for a little longer. But Racing Manager Tony Elliott confirmed that, barring late changes, every horse in this year's Camluck Classic has a mark of 1:48.1 or faster, ensuring a field that puts the "Super" in the accompanying Super Hi-5 wager.

The London, Ont. half-mile will welcome everyone back with a variety of ways to take in the action-packed card. Live music, food trucks, an outdoor bar and swag giveaways will be part of the "Party on the Patio." Fans wanting a unique vantage point will find it with the "Infield Tent Experience" (ticket details coming soon). Table reservations are now being accepted for Camluck Classic night dining at the Top of the Fair restaurant (e-mail [email protected]).

The card will be one of the strongest of the year, as The Raceway marks its final Friday night of the 2021/22 winter/spring meet. In addition to the Camluck Classic, the $50,000 Forest City Pace for Invitational mares returns May 27 after a 10-year absence. The undercard includes $25,000+ City of London Series finals for Ontario-sired four-year-olds and younger (male and female, trotters and pacers), as well as $20,000+ Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots legs for three-year-old filly pacers.  

With announcer Shannon "Sugar" Doyle calling the action, handicapper Robert Reid Jr. providing onsite interviews and commentary and COSA TV on track, the 2022 Camluck Classic is a comeback that shouldn't be missed. 

(With files from The Raceway at Western Fair District)