Horsepeople at The Raceway at Western Fair District will have a chance to celebrate the track’s top performers of 2022 with the return of its annual awards night on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event will take place this year at the Top Of The Fair dining room, featuring an awards ceremony, dinner and dancing to follow.

The award winners and ticket details will be announced next week.

The new year also brings some personnel changes to The Raceway as Racing Manager Tony Elliott is departing for a new role as marketing manager of racing and wagering at the Woodbine Entertainment Group. Elliott, who has also served in management capacities at both Clinton and Hanover racetracks, helped guide The Raceway to record overall handle numbers in 2022.

Director of Racing Rob Lumsden, who has been at the helm of The Raceway since 2020, will be moving into a new role with the Western Fair Association while newly named Director of Equine Programming, Greg Blanchard, will return to The Raceway where he began his tenure at Western Fair in 2010.

“Rob has done a tremendous job of guiding The Raceway through the challenges of a pandemic while continuing the handle growth that is so important to us here,” said Blanchard. “Tony has been able to put his stamp on racing in this part of the province in a short period of time and will certainly be an asset to the Woodbine team with his knowledge and passion.

“We are moving into the busiest part of our racing season here and look forward to some exciting events this spring, including the return of Camluck Classic night to close out the season.”

The live racing schedule in London, Ont. includes racing four days a week, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:50 p.m. and Friday nights at 4:50 p.m. Live racing will continue through the month of May and will be highlighted by the Camluck Classic program on Friday, May 26.

(The Raceway at Western Fair District)