from Western Fair Media Relations

London, ON — A victory by Button Up in Monday’s (Nov. 15) Preferred Pace at Western Fair Raceway would put the 7-year-old horse’s life earnings over C$600,000, much of that earned through several years of consistent performances at Ontario racetracks.

What makes Button Up unique in the world of harness racing is the fact that he’s remained in the same barn since he first started his racing career six years ago. Mark Horner trains and co-owns the winner of C$594,419 lifetime with Charles Dolmage as the Sure Gain Stable. Horner’s brother Mike has driven the horse in every single one of his 173 lifetime starts, another rarity.

Bred by Bill Andrew and Dr. Fred Kruszelnicki of Alberta, Button Up was purchased as a yearling for $18,000. The Northern Luck horse, now seven, is the second of two foals from the mare Better Butter. His full sister, Hot Butter, is the dam of the outstanding filly St Lads Popcorn, a winner of C$654,000 in her career.

Button Up enjoyed a tremendous rookie season, winning the C$300,000 Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway by seven lengths. However, he struggled the following year with sickness but rebounded in his 4-year-old season and has been a consistent earner since that time.

Button Up, who has a win and a second place finish in his most recent starts in the Preferred classes at London, will leave from post five in race 10 on Monday’s program at Western Fair which begins at 3:35 p.m.

Note that Western Fair now features an early and late Win-4, both at 15 percent takeout. Full card coverage is available on HPITV and program pages and live video feed may be accessed at www.westernfair.com.