By Dave Briggs for The Raceway at Western Fair District

London, ON — A long list of Opening Night promotions will be on tap Friday, Oct. 3 when The at The Western Fair District in London, Ont. opens its 2014-15 live racing season.

Fans can take a spin around the half-mile oval in a double-seated jog cart with the Wanna Ride team, take part in a Survivor Handicapping Challenge, catch the Racing Under Saddle 2014 finale, take advantage of special Opening Night pricing in the Top of the Fair restaurant and even get their first bet for free thanks to the First Bet Is On Us promotion. There will also be prize giveaways and the track’s regular Friday promotions such as Deal or no Deal, The Fun Wheel and Trivia.

Raceway Manager Greg Blanchard said he can’t wait to get the meet started.

“We’ve gone through a turbulent couple of years, but I think we’ve weathered the storm well and we’re really excited to be back in action this year,” Blanchard said.

The Raceway at The Western Fair District will race on Mondays and Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. and Fridays at 7:05 p.m. this fall and will add Wednesdays to the schedule in the new year.

Track announcer Shannon “Sugar” Doyle is back calling the action at The Raceway. He moved to London at the start of the 2013-14 meet after calling races in Alberta for many years.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Doyle said. “Coming into last season it was a whole new venue, new horses and names and drivers and everything else. Everything was new. I’ve got a handle on it now going into this meet and I’m feeling good. I know what to expect this time around. I’m hoping to be sharp right out of the gate.”

New this year is a Pick-3 wager on the first three races of every card in addition to two, Pick-4 wagers guaranteed at C$5,000 apiece and two Super Hi-5 bets. All of those wagers have a takeout rate of 15 per cent.