Not since Ponder in 2005 has a post-time favourite won Western Fair Raceway's signature event
, the Molson Pace.
Here are some stats on the Molson Pace and a look at the starters.
-this year's favorite, Won The West, has the highest life's earnings in the field at over $2.2 million
-the driver of Won The West, David Miller, is the harness racing's top earning driver since the turn of millennium with over $103 million in driving purses since new year's day of 2000
-the roster of upset winners the past 4 years in the Molson Pace:
2006 - Our Lucky Killean (3.5-1, $9 to win, beaten favorite Dr No)
2007 - Rare Jewel (4-1, paid $10 to win, beaten favorite Maltese Artist)
2008 - Eagle Luck (25-1, paid over $52 to win, beaten favorite Tigerama)
2009 - Stormaway (19-1, paid over $40 to win, beaten favorite Foiled Again)
-the Molson Pace purse of $312,000 is the richest single race in Western Fair history.
-the total purses for the evening of over $720,000 is the richest single program in the track's 49 year modern day history dating to 1961.
-the following are brief biographies on each of the Molson Pace finalists.
1. Won The West p, 1:47 ($2,225,836)
(b.g. 6, Western Hanover – Gabrielle – Dragons Lair)
Life Summary: 74-28-15-10
Owners: Strolling Stable, William Robinson & James Koehler, Ohio
Breeder: Fair Winds Farm, N.J.
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: David Miller
Sale History: $35,000 Yearling, 2005 Harrisburg Sale
Elimination Performance: Winner fastest of the three eliminations in 1:51.3
2. Lucky Man p, 3, 1:51.1s ($548,298)
(b.g. 5, Camluck – Under Her Spell - Artsplace)
Life Summary: 53-10-11-8
Owner: Tom Hill, England
Breeders: Brittany Farms, Ky. & Daisy Acres, NY
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Driver: Mark MacDonald
Sale History: $90,000 Yearling, 2006 Lexington Select Sale
Elimination Performance: Second to Won The West, timed in 1:51.4.
3. Stonebridge Terror p, 3, 1:51.1s ($629,903)
(b.h.4, Western Terror – No Paradise - Abercombie)
Life Summary: 42-8-9-7
Owners: David Lumsden, Ancaster, Ont., Reg Petitpas, All In Racing Stable, New Brunswick
Breeder: Angie Stiller, Arva, Ont.
Trainer: Jean Louis Arsenault
Driver: Doug McNair
Sale History: $35,000 Yearling, 2007 Lexington Select Sale
Elimination Performance: Winner of first elimination in 1:52.1.
4. Foiled Again p, 1:48.3f ($1,428,704)
(b.g. 6, Dragon Again – In A Safe Place - Artsplace)
Life Summary: 100-38-25-8
Owners: Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, Pa. & JJK Stables, Fla.
Breeder: Barbara Matthews, SC
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Sale History: $20,000 Yearling, 2005 Harrisburg Sale
Elimination Performance: Second by half a length to Hypnotic Blue Chip timed in 1:52.2.
5. Legal Litigator p, 4, 1:50.3s ($525,774)
(b.g. 5, Camluck – By Desire - Artsplace)
Life Summary: 67-17-16-12
Owner/Breeder: Bob Hamather, Exeter, Ontario
Trainer: Casie Coleman
Driver: Trevor Henry
Sale History: Homebred
Elimination Performance: Second by a head to Stonebridge Terror timed in 1:52.1.
6. Hypnotic Blue Chip p, 3, 1:49.2 ($619,058)
(b.h., 4 Art Major – A Traceofmagic – Magical Mike)
Life Summary: 46-15-6-7
Owner: Francis Azur, Pa.
Breeder: Blue Chip Farms, NY
Trainer: Kevin McDermott
Driver: David Jody Jamieson
Sale History: $75,000 Yearling, 2007 Harrisburg Sale
Elimination Performance: Winner of third elimination in 1:52.2.
7. Pangiorno p, 3, 1:50.3f ($192,443)
(b.g. 4, The Panderosa – Panevolence – Artsplace)
Life Summary: 35-10-3-4
Owners: Peter Kleinhans Racing & AJKs Racing, NJ
Breeder: Peter Pan Stable, Ohio
Trainer: Shawn Robinson
Driver: Brad Forward
Sale History: $11,000 Yearling, 2007 Harrisburg Sale
Elimination Performance: Finished third timed in 1:53.4.
8. Annieswesterncard p, 3, 1:49.4f ($756,876)
(b.g. 6, Western Hanover – Annie Your A Card – Cams Card Shark)
Life Summary: 48-13-11-5
Owner: Sawgrass Farms, Il.
Breeders: James Jesk, Ledford Racing & Clucas Trading Co., Il.
Trainer: Joe Seekman
Driver: Brett Miller
Sale History: Private Sale
Elimination Performance: Finished third, timed in 1:52.1.
Program pages and live video of Friday night’s card are available through the Western Fair website.
(Western Fair)