The numbers are staggering. The eight active Hall of Fame drivers scheduled to race in the Legends Day Trot on Sept. 6 at Clinton Raceway have nearly $1 billion in earnings and almost 60,000 harness racing victories combined in their illustrious careers.

Since its inception in 2001, the bi-annual Legends Day has become one of the highlights on the Canadian horse racing calendar. The event, now in its eighth year, will close out Clinton Raceway’s 2015 live racing season, all in support of the Clinton Public Hospital.

“Our goal is to have 1,500 people at the barbecue this year. We had 1,000 two years ago,” said Clinton general manager Ian Fleming. “It’s all sponsored, so every cent we take in goes to the hospital.”

Mike Lachance is scheduled to make his first appearance at Legends Day since the inaugural event 14 years ago. The semi-retired Quebec native —- a winner of 10,421 races and over $190 million —- hasn’t driven since last October, but he is scheduled to take the reins in the $15,000 Legends Day Trot, along with: John Campbell (10,858, $293 million), Steve Condren (6,770, $105 million), Bill O’Donnell (5,742, $98 million), Doug Brown (8,403, $87 million), Dave Wall (7,178, $58 million), Ron Waples (6,921, $74 million) and trainer/driver Ray Remmen, who has 2,874 wins and $34 million in the sulky.

O’Donnell said, “it’s a fun day. The fans enjoy it. We enjoy it.”

All the drivers —- as well as Keith Waples, Bud Fritz and Bill Gale, who will join the eight for an autograph session with fans from 2:30-3:30 p.m. -— have been inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Lachance, Campbell, O’Donnell, Waples and Remmen have also been inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

O’Donnell said he’s pleasantly surprised Legends Day is more popular than ever heading into its eighth edition.

“We sit there for an hour-and-a-half signing autographs,” O’Donnell said. “I’m surprised that after all these years that many people line up every two years. I can’t believe there are that many people. It’s wild the stuff they bring to you to sign.”

There will be kids activities all day, $2 Legends Day hats and live entertainment. The day ends with a Pineridge Chicken barbecue for $20 in support of the hospital.

Beginning Aug. 31, there will also be an online fundraising auction that includes Toronto Blue Jays tickets and a package for a London Knights Experience that includes game tickets and a voucher for London Knights gear.

(with files from Clinton)