by Frank Salive, for Western Fair Raceway

London, ON — Two recent competitors at Western Fair Raceway are set to join the 2007 list of true overachievers in Ontario harness racing.

At the Standardbred Canada Fall Extravanga last November, colt trotter Poncho Villa (hip #143) brought a winning bid of C$1,800 from owner-trainer Murray Weber, while pacing filly Simply Mavelous was haltered for C$5,000 by Alan Guthrie.

Poncho Villa has drawn post one in Tuesday’s (June 5) fourth race at Western Fair in search of a second straight win in the City Of London Series. Last week his win check earnings more than doubled his humble purchase price in an C$8,000 purse split in the Series first leg.

Simply Mavelous seems very appropriately named. Last Friday in the Ontario Sires Stakes 3-year-old filly pace Gold Final she had the unenviable task of going first-over against Luck of Michelle, but still persisted for a fourth place finish in rein to Rick Zeron after Jans Luck emerged from a pocket trip to post a track record of 1:53.1. Simply Mavelous has already amassed 2007 earnings in excess of $67,000.

Huge stakes month in London

Prior to the onslaught of Ontario owned 3-year-old pacing fillies expected for the Trillium Series this Friday night, June 8, the Monday and Tuesday programs feature the second legs of all four divisions of the City of London Series, sponsored by London’s A-Channel TV station. Entrants are trying to qualify for the Series title races on June 15, when the championship purses will range from about C$49,000 to C$73,000.

On Monday afternoon (June 4) the program is fast off the gate with four divisions of the City of London colt and gelding pace division’s second round.

Among the storylines are 3-year-old colt pacer Resessitate seeking a repeat win in the series for owner Bill Fleming and trainer-driver Glen Hardy. Perhaps looking to stamp himself as a favorite for the final will be the Dan Megens co-owned and trained 4-year-old pacer Jakes Buddy.

Christoforou, Zeron kept their word

A parade of trainer, driver and owner TV interviews added enormous insight by the competitors for the fans in Western Fair’s presentation of the 35th Molson Pace on June 1. Among those generously donating of their time on race night were trainers Dr. Ian Moore, Casie Coleman and John Pentland; owners James Millier and Steve Vartanian; and drivers Jody Jamieson, Mark MacDonald, Rick Zeron, Kevin Wallis, Mike Saftic and Chris Christoforou.

Christoforou’s interview was less than 45 minutes prior to the C$255,000 Molson Pace final turning to the starting gate. The insights he shared turned out to be of enormous importance to the handicapping public.

“In the elimination Rare Jewel had a first quarter interference and I couldn’t race him the way I wanted to,” Christoforou explained. “We followed Maltese Artist to the wire and I didn’t get out until the last 20 feet and by then the race was over. Tonight I’m looking for a much smoother trip very close to the pace again. This horse has won several at Woodbine and The Big M in 1:50 or better and certainly has the credentials.”

The result was a 4-1 front end score in the London track’s signature annual event as Christoforou calmly kept the first-over move by Zooka at bay while knowing race favorite Maltese Artist was pinned in the pocket behind him. Rare Jewel’s win time of 1:53 creates an eight way for the all age track record.

Rick Zeron also gave the public a very useful insight in his pre-race TV interview with Mike Stubbs, best known locally as afternoon drive host on CJBK 1290 and the voice of junior hockey’s London Knights.

“Buckeye One could be a longshot in that field, perhaps into the double digits — but he doesn’t know that,” Zeron said. “He always tries hard for me right to the finish. After all, he’s the Mohawk track record holder. I’m expecting an honest, hard closing effort again here tonight.”

Buckeye One was closing widest in the field for third behind Rare Jewel and Maltese Artist, making it three straight years that the pacer has been in the Molson Pace triactor ticket.

Two seconds better in under two years

A quick check of the evolution of Western Fair’s track records chart for trotters shows a ten length improvement since the October, 2005 opening of the Fall Meet when Rebar Man and Wild Magic shared the standard of 1:58.2.

On the Molson Pace program of June 1, the C$30,000 Invitational Handicap Trot had an unexpected development as assigned post seven race favorite Abbey Road C was gapped off the gate by several lengths at the start and away last at the quarter. Taking advantage of the situation was driver Mark MacDonald as he steered R Devilish Dude home in 1:56.2 for trainer Blake MacIntosh, Stuart MacIntosh and LLCM Stables. The previous category record of 1:56.4 by Runway was set just 18 days before.

Through June 29, post time at Western Fair is each Monday and Tuesday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. and Friday evenings at 7:35 p.m.