This Friday is set to be an exciting one for the fans of the horse racing industry of Ontario as the Raceway at the Western Fair District is hosting a final that promises tons of entertainment. The track will witness the Autumn Series Final for two and three-year-old Ontario-sired pacing colts and geldings battling out for the big prize of CA$25,600.
Everything is set for a quite exciting final as the top eight money earners from the previous two legs on October 15 and October 22 will face each other for the top prize of CA$25,600. The final is under number 6 in the 11-day race card at the racing facility. Fans of the live harness sport can also enjoy the events line on the Western Fair website.
Who Will Emerge Victorious?
There is plenty of capable candidates for the crown in Friday’s finals for two and three-year-old Ontario-sired pacing colts and geldings. The Shadow Play rookie Unlaced is considered as one of the favorites to win the race for trainer Blair Burgess. The horse started off with a win in leg one, then next week bested his own lifetime record a fifth of a second and thus gained access to the final.
The horse will face fierce competition from Spicey P and Hippyjohn, who both passed the second leg of the series after winning their respective open-round divisions. Hippyjohn, who is trained by Gregg McNair, made its shift to the province after achieving five wins at the Inverness Raceway. The three-year-old gelding made two starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park and a second-place finish in a “non-winners of one” event.
Hippyjohn recorded an impressive Autumn Series debut, by beating his lifetime best of 1:56.4 and winning the race by several lengths. And for Friday’s final, O’Brien Award-winner Doug McNair will be in the seat. The horse was drawn to the unfavorable outside post seven, but the driver believes in the horse’s ability and expects him to do quite well.
The CA$25,6000 Autumn Series final for two and three-year-old Ontario-sired pacing colts and geldings is under number six in Friday’s eleven race card at the Western Fair District Raceway. The race is on schedule to start at around 6:46 p.m. Eastern time, with the first race of the card starting off at 4:50 p.m. Fans can also enjoy the final on a live stream provided by the racetrack’s official website.
Unfavorable Position
Like many other businesses in Canada, the horse racing industry and the Western Fair District Raceway have also been severely affected by the unprecedented situation. After the breakout of the virus in 2020, the track had to suspend operations for a few months. The property was allowed to renew racing months later in October 2020, with racing days being spread out throughout the week due to disinfecting processes.
Put on Hold Again
After the renewal of racing operations in October 2020, the track as many other Ontario ones had to close down again. In April 2021, all tracks suspended work, thus making it even harder for the track to recover from the virus. After the cancellation of the races, Ontario Racing provided a one-time payment of CA$300 for horses and horsepeople that were on schedule to participate in the April 3 and 4 events at the province’s tracks, including the Western Fair District one.
Source: “Autumn Series Final Set For Friday”, Standardbred Canada, October 27, 2021
