On Sunday afternoon Leamington's half-mile oval will conduct September harness racing for the first time in years as the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association holds the first of four Fall race dates.
It was just nine days ago that the Ontario Racing Commission announced that Leamington Raceway would be awarded four race days, with afternoon cards starting Sunday, September 22, 2013 through to October 13.
"The dedicated army of horsemen and horsewomen in the Southwestern Ontario that made up the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association went into action," the track's release stated. "Within six days they had received an overwhelming show of support from the community. Not only had they garnered enough advertising support to fill their race program, but they also had race sponsorships sold for every one of the 40 races to be run over the next month.
"Every business and individual approached stated how they hoped racing would return on a year round basis to Southwestern Ontario."
On Sunday there will be clowns, face painting, a meet and greet with the horses, singers, bouncy pony rides, numerous draws, and live horse racing all afternoon. Football fans that are sacrificing Sunday afternoon NFL games to attend the races will get a chance to watch their favourite football games between the races on a 50” flat screen TV that will be given away to one lucky patron on the last day of racing.
To view entries for the Sunday kick-off to Leamington's fall race meet, click on one of the following links:
Leamington Raceway: Entries - TrackIT program - PDF program.