WFR’s 2001/02 Meet Coming to a Finish

Western Fair Raceway is rapidly approaching the finish line of their 2001/02 race meet and several events are scheduled to go to post.

On Saturday May 11, four of the industries rising stars will take on four veterans in the Coca cola “Challenge of the Titans.” Confirmed at this time are Jody Jamieson, Greg Wright Jr. and Stephane Brosseau for the under 35 team. Don McElroy, Greg Dustin and Ron Waples for the veterans.

The Ontario Sires Stakes kicks off their richest season yet on that same night with three-year-old trotting colts going to post in gold eliminations. The top eight contenders return May 18 for the $130,000 final.

The Ontario Harness Horse Association launches its 2002 promotional campaign this same night. During OSS events persons can become eligible to win one of three Ford sports trucks by filling in the ballot found inside their race program. One of the trucks will be at WF for viewing and someone will be on hand to answer questions pertaining to the 2002 promotion.

Western Fair is pleased to welcome London’s local televison station, The New PL, as the sponsor of this year’s City of London Pacing Series. This series is for Ontario sired pacers who are four-years of age and under and are non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight April 1, 2002. A nomination fee of $200. will be added to the $25,000 purse offered for the final.

Eliminations go postward Friday May 24 for colts and geldings and Saturday May 25 for fillies and mares. The top eight horses in each division return May 31 for the final. This series began in 1974 and the final purse offered then was $6,700. Unfortunately due to poor purse levels the series was discontinued in ‘92. When harness racing’s future began to look brighter in ‘98 the series was revived but with one major change, it was divided into two divisions. Since it’s ‘98 revival this series has become overwhelmingly popular. The total combined purse offered for the 2001 finals was $94,800. In 1999 Mr Brown set a series record for the colts and geldings when he crossed the finish in a time of 1:57 with driver Rod Robblee holding the lines. That same year Skyway Gal set the record in the fillies and mares division with a time of 1:57.2 with Carman Hie in the driver’s seat.

Saturday May 25, 2002 marks the induction of the late Art Whitesell to Western Fair Raceway’s Wall of Fame. In 1947 Whitesell built his own starting gate only one year after the Phillips Gate made its debut in the United States. Today it is difficult to conceive a harness race starting without a mobile gate but for over 100 years the responsibility of a fair start was left to both a boisterous starter who had to have better than 20/20 vision and the good behavior of horses and drivers. Whitesell’s Gate made its come out on Labour Day 1947 at Grand Valley and remained in operation until two weeks prior to his passing on October 24, 1980. At the time Whitesell was considered to be the longest active operator of a starting gate in North America. He was the original starter for Western Fair Raceway during their fall fairs and their pari-mutuel extended meet which began in 1961.

Friday May, 31 marks the 30th running of Western Fair’s invitational pace. Many regard this night as the raceway’s most exciting and it is the track’s commitment to surround the pace with a Taylor-made card that offers lots of exciting harness racing action and close finishes. 2002 also marks the tenth anniversary of Molson’s sponsorship.

Western Fair’s closing night, Saturday June 1, will be a charity night. A special race, man against horse will be exhibited. Trotting sensation Goodtimes will go the mile as one of London’s well known long distance runners, John Ferguson, goes a half in a race for the London Health an Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care. Attendees will have a chance to meet both athletes during an autograph session, pick their favourite and cheer them home. All proceeds will go to the above mentioned centres.

Milestone For Greg Dustin

On April 19 driver Greg Dustin, also known as Curley in the backstretch, reached the 1000 lifetime win plateau. It was race six on WFR’s Friday night card and Dustin was assigned the call on the morning line favourite, Ilikeitlikethat. The two displayed a gate to wire winning performance in a time of 2:01.3. This victory not only marked Curley’s 1000th win but it was also Ilikeitlikethat’s first trip to the winners circle. This four-year-old son of Bilateral is owned by the Durbridge Stable of Dutton and trained by William Durbridge.

Note of interest: Driver Terry Kerr is just eight victories away from joining the 6000 lifetime club.