Weekly Review from January 19th to January 25th

‘Turbo’ Is Rested And Ready

One of the best races thus far in 2009 at Western Fair Raceway looms on the Monday afternoon January 26 program in the 12th race Preferred Pace. A star studded field including Grand Bend Turbo has been assembled by Race Secretary and General Manager Ian Fleming for the $18,400 purse affair.

“He’s completely healthy and sound and has had a well deserved two month rest” says trainer and co-owner Jim Ainsworth of Sarnia of his career winner of $772,871. “Really for his entire career that’s the first so-called vacation that he’s had. To start out with this year we can ideally race him in London for three weeks. Longer term we’re going to try and have him peaking again for the Molson Pace on May 29”.

The Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series graduate earned a $70,000 cheque with the runner-up finish in the 2008 edition of the Molson Pace. Starting from London’s trailing post eight he was off at 12-1. Grand Bend Turbo followed the 25-1 upset winner Eagle Luck under the wire in Western Fair’s signature annual race last year.

“(Driver) Mike Sumner was really happy with the way he qualified on January 16” Ainsworth says of the Camluck-Sweet Meant To Be seven year old’s spin around London in 1:59.4 under a three second allowance. “The stablemate to Grand Bend Turbo, Bigmizndrstnding, is in the 11th race in London on Monday. He’s come back really well for his four year old season and looks like he’s going to be really nice horse for us too.”

In the Preferred Pace on Monday Grand Bend Turbo will be facing millionaire Our Lucky Killean (post 5), three year old colt pace track record holder Stormaway (post 6), top Michigan invader Armbro Billow (post 1) and the last time winner over this company Must Be Matt (post 7).

Ainsworth, 48, has trained 837 winners lifetime for over $10 million in purse earnings.

“We have some nice young horses we hope to bring out in 2009 but Grand Bend Turbo has set the standard high for them all in this stable” he says. “We’ll just put it this way. Grand Bend Turbo has raced great since he was a two year old. All of the young ones we’re starting with…they’d have to put together five or more great years to equal what Grand Bend Turbo has meant to us.”

Milestones Ahead

Heading into the final full week of January racing action at Western Fair driver Don McElroy and trainer George McClure are on the verge of personal milestones.

McElroy, 53, is within 7 victories of joining the 4,000 win club. The resident of Ingersoll, ON is a past champion of the Lampman Cup as leading driver in the Ontario Sires Stakes and he’s amassed over $18 million in purses over his career.

On the Friday, January 30 program at Western Fair trainer George McClure of Clinton, ON will mark the occasion of his 55th birthday. In 2008 George campaigned the City Of London Series champion My Secret Beau and quietly went about the business of one of his best career years as he sent out 48 winners from 288 starters for over $330,000 in purses.

Freebie February

Next month has been tabbed ‘Freebie February’ at Western Fair Raceway. Prizes and giveaways will be a highlight of all twelve programs next month at the London track. The promotion will kick off with a free race program giveaway on the Monday card of February 2. Betting vouchers, pizza slices, t-shirts, keychains, coffee and donuts, spin to win, and bonus player reward points will all be a part of the month long promotions during live racing.

Two special Sunday events are also planned.

A Pre Super Bowl Party is set for 1 p.m. on February 1 featuring prizes, giveaways, food specials and simulcasting from Woodbine and The Meadowlands.

Western Fair’s traditional Daytona 500 party in the Carousel Room is scheduled for February 15.

Through June, post time at Western Fair each Monday and Tuesday afternoon is 3:35 p.m. EST, and every Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. EST.