The Raceway at Western Fair District has announced that it will offer increased purses for the upcoming 2021-22 harness racing season, which kicks off on Monday, Oct. 4.
A surplus of purse funds has accumulated over the last two seasons from cancelled race dates caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, purses will be increased by 15 per cent (on average) for each class.
The Raceway's season opener on Monday features an 11-race card with first post time set for 5:50 p.m.
A full field of nine will square off in the evening's featured race, a $9,500 high-level conditioned pace over 1-1/16 miles, carded as the finale.
Wililam and James Stevenson's Made To Shine is one of the likely top contenders in the event, invading from Hiawatha Horse Park after winning his last two assignments. The five-year-old Sunshine Beach entire has won four of nine starts this year, from on and off the pace alike. Usual driver Scott Wray is listed to drive from post eight, the innermost of two back-row starters in the field.
The field also features a newcomer from Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, in Pat McGarry A, who qualified in 1:55.4 at Flamboro Downs on Sept. 25 with trainer J.R. Plante in the bike. The son of Million Dollar Cam earned his lone win of the 2021 season over the 1-1/16-mile distance, accelerating out of the pocket in the final eighth of a mile with a :27.4 final quarter to collar pacesetter Falcons. Brett MacDonald is listed to drive Pat McGarry A in his Canadian debut from post five.
Live harness racing will take place on Mondays (5:50 p.m. post time), Tuesdays (5:50 p.m. post time) and Fridays (4:50 p.m. post time).
A reminder that Western Fair has a mandatory vaccination policy and horsepeople are required to send their proof of vaccination to Rob Lumsden, Director of Racing, prior to October 4 or present their proof of vaccination at the gate opening night. Lumsden's email is [email protected].
To view Monday's harness racing entries, click on the following links:
Monday Entries - Western Fair -- Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).
(With files from The Raceway)