The Raceway at Western Fair District capped off a record fiscal year for wagering this past Friday evening as horseplayers put $708,000 through the windows during the March 31 program, contributing to a $10.7 million month – the highest in the track’s long history.

It was a strong finish to the fiscal year (ended March 31) in which $56,709,193 was wagered overall on The Raceway over a span of 119 race programs. That total, along with the per-race average of $46,030, were also both new highs for the London, Ont. oval.

“It is a very encouraging trend as we enter the final two months of our current spring racing season,” said Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming. “Wagering has been strong provincially, and industry-wide for that matter, and it’s important for us to keep working hard to maintain that appeal with the horseplayers.

“When it comes to our simulcast customers, we focus a lot on pool size, competitiveness of the on-track product, quality broadcast production and information and race placement while attempting to offer an attractive and varied wagering menu. Field size remains one of our ongoing challenges although we have been able to maintain last year’s levels.”

While overall wagering has been strong, the on-track handle has been flat this season as people slowly re-emerge from the pandemic. In an effort to better accommodate visiting customers, two new lounge spaces were opened in March – the Raceway Lounge on the second level (formerly the Yuk Yuks Comedy Club) and a new lounge space at the Top Of The Fair dining room on the third floor.

Planning is well under way for the track’s signature event, the $150,000 Camluck Classic presented by Seelster Farms, which will take place on Friday, May 26. Camluck Classic night features a powerful undercard including the $50,000 Forest City Pace for mares, a quartet of City Of London Series finals and the first leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series for three-year-old filly pacers.

“Camluck Classic night is always an exciting time for our team and the local racing community,” said Amy O'Toole, The Raceway's newly-appointed Manager of Equine Programming. “We have a lot planned for this year’s event including an enhanced outdoor patio experience, contests and giveaways, great food and drink, along with live entertainment. When you pair that with some amazing racing and attractive wagering opportunities, we feel like there is something for everyone.”

Defending champion Jimmy Freight is expected back in an attempt to make it back-to-back Camluck Classic titles. The event will also be broadcast live on COSA TV.

Live harness racing continues Monday evening, with post time set for 5:50 p.m.

(With files from Western Fair District)