The media department at The Raceway at the Western Fair District has recently compiled some of the 2021 season's top achievements to date — from humans and equines; on the track and at the windows.
The Numbers
Looking back at the most recent month of racing, in London, Ont., never before had the Forest City oval seen wagering numbers over the span of one month that matched the month of March, and it’s not even close. The total handle reads $9,278,708 over the 19 race dates during the month – for averages of $488,353 per card and $45,708 per race with 203 dashes raced.
The final week of racing (March 29 to April 2) before the current ‘pause’ in the schedule saw $2,883,886 wagered over five race dates, for an average of $576,777 per card and $53,405 per race over 54 races programmed — most likely another high handle record for the span of one week of racing in London.
2021 Season Leaders - Wins (Jan. 1 through April 2)
Owners
Stewart McQueen 8
Blueshoe Investments 6
Daylon Farms 4
Kyle Bossence 4
Don Rankin Jr. 4
Trainers
Kyle Bossence 15
Lindsey Kerr 9
Stewart McQueen 8
Tyler Nostadt 7
Gord McDonnell 6
Patrick Bissett 6
Drivers
Colin Kelly 32
Travis Henry 28
Austin Sorrie 27
Daryl Thiessen 16
Scott Coulter 13
Battin Closing In On 5,000 Wins
Veteran horseman Ross Battin recorded his 4,996th career driving win aboard the 14-year-old pacer Lawmen Reign on March 29 at The Raceway. The duo scored from off the pace in a ‘Seniors Pace’ event for older horses, which has seen the likes of Leafs And Wings and Acefortyfourtalon also add wins to their long-lasting career stats.
Career Milestones
A few horses, showing their most recent starts in London, are closing in on career milestones for earnings:
Ufdragons Rocket: $499,730
The Loan Ranger: $198,622
Mac Raider: $199,819
Jake Loewen: $196,900
Track Record In March
On March 24, Power And Grace, owned by Hartel Maintenance Inc. and Lormer McClure, added her name to a long list of track record holders at The Raceway. The big went all the way to a 1:57.1 trotting win with Brett McDonald aboard for trainer Ron MacDonald. The record clocking lowered the previous track record at The Raceway for aged trotting mares of 1:57.2, which was set by Must Sold Dream (Trevor Henry) in November 2006. and equalled by Flora Dream (Doug McNair) in January of 2011.
(with files from The Raceway at the Western Fair District)