The $150,000 Molson Pace for older pacers is just over a month away (Friday, May 29) and The Raceway at Western Fair District is finalizing plans for the big night.
The Molson Pace was changed back to an Invitational format in 2013 and the past two seasons has produced some of the strongest fields ever for the event. And, in both years, it’s been the Ian Moore-trained State Treasurer who has emerged victorious.
The six-year-old son of Real Desire, who recovered from a miscue at the start to win last year’s event, qualified recently in Florida in 1:51 and is expected back in London in search of the three-peat.
Modern Legend, who started his career in the 2011 Middlesex Series in London, is also expected to receive in an invite along with the winner of the Confederation Cup, which will be held on Sunday, May 17 at Flamboro Downs, two weeks prior to the Molson Pace.
Other potential starters for this year’s contest include local horses Apprentice Hanover and Nickle Bag along with several horses who competed in this year’s recently-concluded Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway. The sport’s richest pacer and ageless wonder Foiled Again could also be on hand for a record seventh appearance.
The Raceway will also host the first leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series for three-year-old colt pacers that night along with a quartet of City of London Series finals for trotters and pacers. It is the richest single night of the season at the Forest City oval with approximately $500,000 in purses up for grabs.
Aside from the great racing, fans can expect a fun-filled night according to the track’s marketing co-ordinator Sarah Imrie.
“We have so much planned this year. More prize giveaways than ever before thanks to Molsons, the OLG and The Raceway,” she said. “The list is being finalized now, and I am sure fans will be overwhelmed with what we have planned.
"The great part about coming to southwestern Ontario's premier sporting event, is that a family can come and have a great night out for little or no cost, plus have a chance of going home with some great prizes and memories of a truly outstanding evening. It is a tradition that continues to grow and grow."
On the wagering side, highlights include $7,500 guaranteed pools on both the early Pick-4 and early Super Hi-5 and $10,000 guaranteed pools on both the late Pick-4 and late Super Hi-5. Both wagers, along with the Pick-3, are offered at a low 15 per cent takeout rate.
Fans are urged to stay tuned to westernfairdistrict.com for more details as the date for this year’s Molson Pace draws closer.
(With files from The Raceway at Western Fair District)