Blogs

Flashback: 1992 International Drivers' Challenge

Posted Date:

Monday, January 18, 2021

This Coca-Cola International Drivers’ Challenge was an afternoon program held on Monday, May 18, 1992 at Western Fair Raceway - featuring 8 leading drivers - with ‘The Voice’ Roger Huston calling the action.

On this day 9 of 12 races would feature the following leading drivers... DOUG BROWN BILL FAHY BILL GALE MICKEY MCNICHOL JACK MOISEYEV BILL O'DONNELL DAVE WALL RON WAPLES Race 1 - Cindy Ley (Gale), off a pocket ride, would win this trot for owners Fred and Terry Heatherley in 2:05. Garmor Dexter (Wall), the longest shot on the board, made a break at the start and still managed a second-best showing. B A Speedstick (Brown) was third. Race 2 - Bethel Park (Moiseyev), from off the pace, won for Joyce and George Dipierdomenico in a 2:01 life best...

What Came In Anyway?

Posted Date:

Monday, January 11, 2021

A term sometimes used by bettors following a horse race is ‘What came in anyway?’… Our Raceway team follows the numbers closely… From what numbers are winning, to field size, to the wagering numbers – per card, per race, per type of bet – there has always been plenty to look at for numbers in London. More tracks are beginning to take a very close look at their overall numbers as well and have managed to make changes to aid in ‘driving their handle’ – especially since the return to horse racing after a ‘first wave’...

While The Raceway Is Dark...

Posted Date:

Monday, January 4, 2021

While The Raceway is dark, we'll be looking for some shining lights as we step on into 2021's harness racing season. To stay busy, within racing, we've been posting picks for my favourite 'south of the border' half-mile oval Northfield Park - based in Cleveland, Ohio. You can find those picks + many more cappers' selections for North American horse racing tracks at www.atbforum.com. Speaking of favourite 'south of the border' ovals - you may want to check out the current Cal Expo harness racing meet - racing...

"They're off and it is on!" - soon at The Raceway!

Posted Date:

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Raceway Ready For October 7th! So here we go - live horse racing action, at The Raceway, is just around the corner... It’ll be a Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening schedule for this brand new season of racing at The Raceway, in London, Ontario - with all post times set for 6:15 PM EST. After spending my summer in Alberta, calling the thoroughbred races at Century Mile, I’m now back in London - preparing for our opening night next Wednesday evening… Century Mile's signature event is the Canadian Derby - which took place this past Sunday evening - you can...

Top 4's & More... Good luck this weekend!

Posted Date:

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Ontario harness racing returns this weekend with 7 race programs taking place, over Friday & Saturday, at 6 different tracks. The last 2 harness tracks to race, in Ontario, were Woodbine Mohawk Park (a Premier track) on Thursday, March 19 - with a total wager of $1,879,809 over 10 races and The Raceway at Western Fair District (a Signature track) on Wednesday, March 18 - with a total wager of $992,517 over 11 races. It will be interesting to see how the wagering numbers continue as tracks will proceed to race without spectators - as was the case back in March. Here we go then - I...

New Looks At Hanover For 2020 / Camluck Classic Highlights

Posted Date:

Monday, June 1, 2020

New Looks At Hanover For 2020 A changing of the guard at Hanover Raceway, for 2020, will see Steve Fitzsimmons looking after the General Manager duties - while Tony Elliott will assume the Assistant to the General Manager role. “It’s pretty much the role I was looking for,” says Elliott. “This puts me in line for what I’m aiming for in my career… I’m looking forward to getting some experience in both the marketing and managing sides of the horse racing business.” Elliott was a familiar face around The Raceway, in London, this past race...

Camluck Classic: 2020 Edition

Posted Date:

Thursday, May 28, 2020

This would have been it... The end of our race meet, at The Raceway, would have concluded with our signature event - the Camluck Classic - on Friday, May 29... With our race meet ending, back in mid-March, due to the pandemic - I could be a little rusty, but I'm in to go - for a pair of race calls on some virtual harness racing action this weekend. Hope you can join us! The U.S. Trotting Association, in conjunction with Off And Pacing, continues their series of simulated stakes races on Friday (May 29) with the virtual Camluck Classic from The Raceway at Western Fair District...

I’ve always loved the horses!

Posted Date:

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

“I really never saw myself broadcasting,” says Michigan native Jessica Otten. “When I was younger I always wanted to be a teacher… Why? I have no idea…” Now 23 and living in Hightstown, New Jersey, this third-generation horse person has gone from living on a farm to living in a town - which she says has been a big adjustment, but she does live close to quite a few training centers which helps. “I've always loved the horses,” she says. “They’ve been such a huge part of my life ever since I was a baby. When I got my driver...

Horsing Around With Sorella And Miller

Posted Date:

Thursday, May 21, 2020

#LouKnows Chimes In On Racing “There’s a chance the time off may not be as kind to the horses that were sharp before this break,” says Lou Sorella aka #LouKnows - a horse owner and guest handicapper at The Raceway. “The horses that were in need of some time off certainly got a well-deserved rest, but I think when we come back - it’ll be a pretty level playing field for everyone… Here’s hoping everyone follows the guidelines that will keep us safe and racing for the remainder of this 2020 season and beyond.” Sorella teamed up with Chatham...

It's almost post time for a harness race!

Posted Date:

Monday, May 18, 2020

Here they come! It’s almost post time for a harness race in North America... It’s been way too long! Going behind the gate first will be Scioto Downs (Columbus, OH) this Friday, May 22, with a Race 1 post time of 6:30 ET - without spectators... One of my favourite half-milers - Northfield Park (Cleveland, OH) - will start back on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00 ET - again without spectators. It’s the new horse racing world we’ll be living in for the months ahead - live racing without spectators… Here’s wishing all the tracks, returning to action, the best...