Thrilling, exhilarating, heart-pounding and unforgettable are but a few words that describe the experience of watching live horse racing at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
The Raceway evokes these feelings with their premium harness racing product. The Raceway is located in one of the fastest growing cities in Canada: London, Ontario. This oval plays host to Canada’s richest half-mile track race for older pacers, the $150,000 Camluck Classic.
When arriving at The Raceway, race fans of all ages immediately pick up an energetic feel to the track.
As the fans make their way out to the tarmac and into the grandstand, they are filled with excitement, hoping to see how close they are able to get to the horses. The grandstand was built almost on top of the track to allow racegoers to feel like that they are in the middle of the action. It is quite common for drivers to greet spectators along the fence during the post parade. Race fans can also take in the races and enjoy dinner at the same time from the Top of the Fair restaurant.
The warmer months of the racing season bring in a great crowd of younger individuals and families for live racing. Throughout the colder months of the season, many children still encourage their parents out to the fence alongside the track to get up close to the horses and to wish their favourite driver good luck. It may be frigid outside, but the joy of watching live racing doesn’t cool down.
Horses pace down the stretch under the lights — and snowflakes — at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Back in the warmer grandstand on Friday nights, many individuals 19 and older enjoy the bar area on the main level and converse about their next bet — or maybe the Toronto Maple Leafs game — between races. At The Raceway, there is something for all ages to enjoy, from live racing to a drink with friends.
The Raceway provides a high quality racing product for fans and horseplayers to enjoy. This enjoyment brings in major betting dollars to this 'small' Ontario track. Wagering has been setting a record pace this season, with the track averaging well over $400,000 per card. Not only have the wagering pools been outstanding, so have the payouts to horseplayers. The Raceway attracts those established bettors and is a great starting spot for younger bettors to get in on the action.
The Raceway has live races on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:15 p.m. (Eastern), as well as the popular Friday night race card beginning at 6:55 p.m. (Eastern). The best aged pacers in North America will come to The Raceway on Friday, May 29 for the 2020 Camluck Classic. You can find out more by visiting www.westernfairdistrict.com/raceway or by following The Raceway on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
(Tony Elliott for the USHWA Youth Committee)