Western Fair Raceway has announced its 2010 stakes schedule, which is anchored by its signature event, the $225,000 (added) Molson Pace in May
.
Introduced in 1972, when the $7,500 event was won by Hall of Famer Jack Kopas and Key Ones Uno in 2:04.3, the race has grown to become one of the premier free for all events for pacers in North America.
Last year’s edition of the Molson Pace, worth $283,000, was won by Stormaway. This year’s final will be presented on Friday, May 28, the final card of live racing during the spring meet at the London, Ont. track. That race card will also feature the $40,000 (added) finals of the City of London Series for both pacers and trotters.
The second annual Forest City Pace -- the mare companion race to the Molson Pace -- will be one of the main attractions of Western Fair’s fall meet, which will begin on October 15. The final of the Forest City Pace, for open female pacers, will be contested October 30. Last year’s inaugural edition of the Forest City Pace, worth $189,000, was captured by Southwind Madonna.
In addition to Western Fair-sponsored stakes, the track will also host numerous Ontario Sires Stakes events during the 2010 season, including the eight $100,000 Grassroots Championships on October 23, which corresponds with the eliminations for the Forest City Pace.
Information on all of Western Fair’s stakes events, including nomination deadlines, conditions, etc., are available here.
Western Fair’s 2010 Stakes Schedule
May 14
• City of London Trotting Series
• first leg
• $7,500 per division
May 14
• City of London Pacing Series
• first leg
• $7,500 per division
May 21
• City of London Trotting Series
• second leg
• $7,500 per division
May 21
• City of London Pacing Series
• second leg
• $7,500 per division
May 21
• Molson Pace eliminations
• $20,000 per elimination
May 28
• City of London Trotting Series final
• $40,000 (added)
May 28
• City of London Pacing Series final
• $40,000 (added)
May 28
• Molson Pace final
• $225,000 (added)
October 22
• Middlesex County Pacing Series
• first leg
• $7,500 per division
October 22
Middlesex County Trotting Series
first leg
$7,500 per division
October 23
• Forest City Pace eliminations
• $15,000 per elimination
October 29
• Middlesex County Pacing Series
• second leg
• $7,500 per division.
October 29
• Middlesex County Trotting Series
• second leg
• $7,500 per division
October 30
• Forest City Pace final
• $125,000 (added)
November 6
• Middlesex County Pacing Series final
• $40,000 (added)
November 6
• Middlesex County Trotting Series final
• $40,000 (added)
(Western Fair)