Western Fair's two-time Pacing Mare Of The Year, Putnam Fantasy, has been sold and she'll start in London on Monday for new connections.

She was catalogued as hip # 98 in Standardbred Canada's Fall Extravaganza mixed sale at Flamboro Downs on November 1 and her new trainer, Scott Barr, picks up the story from there.

"Her previous owner and trainer Jeff Thomson wasn't satisfied that the bidding didn't come up to the minimum he'd hoped for so he bought her back," Barr says. "One of the nicest local guys in harness racing, Merv Smith, made it known that he wanted a horse to race in London over the coming months and we got the deal done with Jeff at $12,000."

The seven-year-old Island Fantasy mare departs the ownership of Lori and Jeff Thomson of Chesley, ON with over $229,000 on her card a 1:55 mark. She frequented the Western Fair winner's circle in recent years with many of her 27 career wins coming in the track's Mares Preferred Pace.

"You couldn't ask for a better guy to be in harness racing than Merv Smith," Barr adds. "He built a great training facility out here east of London at Dorchester Downs. He built a construction company on his own, he's in his 60's now, and he's the first to step forward behind the scenes if he hears of someone in need.

"Over the Summer he had a filly in the OSS Grassroots, Slomotion, that he followed all over the province," he added. "Every time he goes to the track he brings several family members and friends with him too. If that isn't enough, win lose or draw he almost always goes to the paddock to walk and cool out his horses after they race. A TV crew from Woodbine was here recently and we're looking forward to a feature about him airing soon on Race Night on the Score."

On the November 10 Monday afternoon card at Western Fair, Putnam Fantasy has drawn Post 6 in the fifth race. It's a mares conditioned pace for non-winners of $5000 in their last three starts.

"We're not expecting a whole lot from her on Monday, that mare of Jim Ainsworth's (OSS Gold Series graduate Simply Mavelous) looks tough in post three," Barr observes. "Over the coming months though we hope Putnam Fantasy gets several wins for Merv and Darlene Smith. Merv is just a great guy for the game and he sure deserves any good luck that comes his way."

Georgia Peach Back Home

Another entrant of considerable interest on the Western Fair Monday afternoon program is Georgia Peach.

The Fall Extravaganza's sale topper at $53,000 was originally trained and brought to the races by veteran London conditioner Jack Wray, and she now returns to his care.

The Astreos three-year-old filly has drawn Post 6 in Monday afternoon's $15,200 Mares Preferred Pace in the eighth race. Greg Dustin has draws the driving assignment.

Also on Monday, the $18,400 Preferred Trot has attracted The Mad Duke, sent out by Michigan owner/trainer June DuRussel with Tim Driver slated for bike duty. The last previous winner of this class, T Js Mr Lavec, will start outside in Post 7 for owner/driver Trevor Henry. Also in this event is $510,000 career winner Stonebridge Diablo, sent out by Ron Waples Jr. with Ross Battin hired back to drive.

Local Media On The Story

The London area broadcast media picked up on many aspects of the exceptional Saturday night card at Western Fair.

On London radio station CJBK last Friday morning, hosts Pete James and Steve Garrison mused about which local young horsepeople were in the best position to win a Middlesex County Series title. Their forecast centering on Chad Milner proved to be right on the money when Billiam won the $54,100 final providing Milner with his biggest career win to date.

Saturday night's track performance by St Lads Popcorn will receive TV coverage on Monday evening on London's A-Channel 11 p.m. news. Sportscaster Norman James will be presenting a highlight package from Western Fair as he does almost every Monday evening on the local TV newscast.

Fundraiser For Canadian Women's Rugby

The Friday program on November 14 at Western Fair is devoted to fundraising efforts through a raffle and silent auction for the National Women's 7's Rugby Team based at the University Of Western Ontario in London.

For a third straight year the effort is being spearheaded by harness racing enthusiast and owner Terry Hudson of Strathroy, ON, who has raced numerous standout trotters under the stable name Danterra Standardbreds.

Through December post time at Western Fair each Monday and Tuesday is 3:05 p.m. with Friday and Saturday evening cards turning to the gate at 7:05 p.m.

(Western Fair Raceway)