A pre-race televised trackside ceremony at 6:50 p.m. this Friday evening, April 24, at Western Fair Raceway will ensure Brad Forward is properly adorned with the colours of his country
for the World Driving Championship in Norway starting on May 14.
“It’s been an amazing ride to this point and I keep trying to calm myself down, reminding myself it’s still three weeks until we leave for Norway,” Forward says. “Right from the time I clinched a spot in the Ontario regional last Fall it’s been a high point in my life. Winning the National final last month in British Columbia was amazing. It’s just been an incredible build-up and in some senses it’ll be a relief to get to Norway and start driving horses.”
Forward, originally from Newfoundland and now a resident of Woodstock, ON will receive the Canadian colours and matching helmet from Standardbred Canada’s President/CEO Ted Smith and Western Fair’s General Manager/Director Of Racing Ian Fleming in the ceremony. The driver marked his 38th birthday on the final day of March and indicates he’ll have quite a collection of family and supporters on the Norway junket.
“My parents still live just outside St. Johns, Newfoundland in a small town called The Goulds. They’re going with us since this could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Forward says. “Having them there will mean the world to me since they’ve been my main pillar of support all my life. That banner that went around to all the racetracks for the fans to sign, I saw that the other day and it’ll mean a lot to me to see that since it’s being sent over to Norway too.”
Autograph Session In Red And White
Prior to the Friday evening program of April 24 at Western Fair, Forward will be available in the track's main lobby for an autograph session. Patrons wearing red and white (also Forward's everyday driving suit colours) will be eligible for prizes. Grandstand patrons will share in t-shirt giveaways on the Friday night card every time that Brad makes it into a win, place, or show position finish with his mounts. In addition, postcards are being made available for public signing which will be sent to Norway for Brad to read upon his arrival there in May.
Winning close races in driver competitions is certainly not a new experience for Forward. When he clinched the first of his Western Fair driving titles in 2006 his friendly rivalry with Trevor Henry had gone down to the final race on New Year’s Eve.
“Getting up to speed on their racing rules and what the horses and driving styles are like, well I hope I can be a quick study in Norway,” Forward says. “Dave Wall, the ‘godfather’ in our drivers’ room in London has told me a lot about it since he’s been there several times. I do understand this trip is quite a responsibility because everyone there will be judging Canadian drivers to some extent on what I do. In a selfish sense, the memories of the trip will last a lifetime. The driving suit and matching helmet I’m getting, they’ll be real keepsakes too because there’s only a very few guys that will ever get those in their career.”
After the presentation of the Canadian themed driving suit and helmet to Forward, the first race post parade will be preceded by a live trackside rendition of the National Anthem. Forward has also disclosed there is a motion pending in the Newfoundland government for him to receive a special citation in his home Province.
New Zealand Bred Spurs Graham Comeback
Monday afternoon’s ninth race at Western Fair might look like your average claiming event. For Caledonia, ON trainer Greg Graham it’ll be anything but ordinary as he sends out Emm Ar Ess N from post one.
“The last couple of years things have really been slow and this horse has really brought my stable and career back to life,” the 41-year-old conditioner says. “I bought him close to a year ago at Delaware, OH sale and he raced once for me and got hurt. When we brought him back he won his way up through the conditions at Flamboro Downs and he’s won his way out of the earnings restricted claiming company there. Monday in London will be his first time in a straight $10,000 claimer. We're looking for his good performances to continue.”
Prior to going out on his own Greg was an assistant trainer for Jack Mehlenbacher and then for Donnie Graham. His top memories of his formative years in the game revolve around Donnie Graham’s stable leader of that era, Sunday Driver, who was a winner of 65 career races for $503,000.
As further proof of just how the luck has changed for Greg Graham’s string he’s quick to point out that for Monday’s start in London , Em Ar Ess N has drawn post one for a fourth consecutive start.
“I’m a small stable trainer with six horses at most at any given time. Right now I have all four and five-year-olds and nothing for the Sires Stakes so it’s a big bonus to us when one of them steps up like Em Ar Ess N has,” Graham says. “Our stable made about $43,000 in purses last year but this horse has us on course for a much better year in 2009.”
Through June, post time at Western Fair each Monday and Tuesday afternoon is at 3:35 p.m. Friday evening programs turn to the starting gate at 7:05 p.m.
(Western Fair Raceway)