from WFD Media
London, ON — The race for the 2017 Trainer of the Year at The Raceway at Western Fair District is coming right down to the wire with just nine programs remaining in the season.
Heading into Friday night’s (Dec. 15) card at the London oval, Craig Gilmour holds a slim two-win lead (33-31) over fellow conditioner Gord McDonnell. Defending champion Vic Puddy isn’t far behind with 30 wins to his credit so far.
Gilmour is in search of his first London training title and is in the midst of a career-best season with 79 wins overall and close to C$500,000 in seasonal earnings. McDonnell has been one of the top conditioners at The Raceway in recent years and may be the hottest of the trio right now having sent out four winners from his last six starters.
Puddy, who won last year’s training title in London, has surpassed C$1 million in seasonal earnings for the fourth time in the last five seasons and recently went over 2,000 wins lifetime. He sends out two starters Friday night and will have a chance to close the gap on his two rivals who both have no horses entered on the program.
The Raceway will be a busy place over the next three weeks and here is a look at the complete holiday race schedule:
Friday, Dec. 15 – 7:05 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 18 – 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – 6:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 22 – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 23 – 1:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 26 – 1:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 29 – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31 – 7:05 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 1 – 6:15 p.m.