Lorne House has been a familiar face finishing first at The Raceway at the Western Fair District for years, and he gets to achieve another first this Tuesday, Dec. 10 in the track's Drivers' Holiday Challenge.

This Tuesday the fifth Annual Drivers’ Holiday Challenge, in support of Toys For Tots, will take place at The Raceway. House makes his Drivers' Holiday Challenge debut, the first driving challenge of any sort for the 43-year-old from Dutton, Ont.

"I came close to competing in one, years ago, but the timing wasn’t right,” said House. “I’m quite happy to participate in this event at my home track. After being sidelined for a few months in the spring, due to an injury, it’s turned out to be a pretty good year for me all around.”

On the driving side, Lorne House sports 110 wins this season and more than $710,000 in earnings in support of his 1,258 career victories and $8.2 million bankroll. The win total marks his fourth season in triple digits, while his earnings are his third best. And his 0.276 driving average — if it stays at that level at the end of 2024 — would set a career high.

Back in May, flashy chestnut The Great Reset — trained and owned by House along with Chantal Ruijs — etched his name in the track record books as the fastest trotter in the history of The Raceway with his 1:55.3 performance. House handed the lines over to driver Jason Ryan at the time due to his injury, but he's back aboard the son of Resolve on Tuesday. He's drawn post three in the seventh race, assessed as the 3-1 third choice.

“He had an issue at the gate in his last start,” mentioned House. “He got rough and it was just enough to put him in a bad spot early on. We like his chances this week… He’ll just have to get away a bit better and hopefully we’ll find a decent trip in there.”

House is listed to drive in all 12 competition races on Tuesday evening, with three morning line favourites on his roster: Sheplaysforkeeps (R5, PP1, 2-1); Furiosa (R9, PP4, 8-5) and Land Of Paradise (R10, PP1, 2-1).

“I do like my lineup,” said House. “It’s pretty solid all night.”

The list of drivers taking part in the Drivers’ Holiday Challenge also includes Tyler Borth, Natasha Day, Samuel Fillion, Travis Henry, Bob McClure, Garrett Rooney and Daryl Thiessen. House thinks he has a home track advantage over some of the drivers.who might have less knowledge of the local horse population, but realizes it's a talented and deep group of competitors. 

“It certainly helps… I see these horses every week and have witnessed what most can and cannot do.

"Everyone can win with the right horse and/or the right trip,” House continued. “I’m quite sure it will be a fun night for all of racing and pretty sure it will be a fun night for all those watching as well.”

First post for the Dec. 10 program is slated for 5:50 p.m. It takes place in conjunction with the monthly Trifecta Tuesday promotion at the Top of the Fair Dining Room, featuring buffet-style dinner, racing & gaming vouchers and seniors’ pricing.

COSA TV will also be on hand for its final live broadcast of the season. Hosts Mark McKelvie and Robert Reid Jr. will be joined on the desk by multiple O’Brien Award-winning driver James MacDonald, who captured the 2023 edition of the challenge. 

The Red Shores broadcast talents of Kurt Hughes will be featured on the program as well. He’ll join track announcer Sugar Doyle remotely for the broadcast commentary throughout the night.

Kelly McNiven has once again assisted The Raceway team with the fundraising efforts. Those who would like to make a cash donation can do so through e-transfer to [email protected]. Collection boxes for toy donations will be set up at Wilson’s Tack shop at The Raceway, Flamboro Downs paddock and the Wilson’s Tack retail location in London. 

To view the entries for Tuesday's card of harness racing at The Raceway, click the following link: Tuesday Entries - The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

(with files from The Raceway; photo of Lorne House winning with It Takes Two)