by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Hamilton, ON — The best 4-year-old pacers in harness racing will display their talents at Flamboro Downs on Sunday (May 20) for the 40th edition of the Confederation Cup.
The 2018 edition of Flamboro Downs’ signature event marks the fourth consecutive year that 4-year-old pacers will battle for the prestigious Cup.
The inaugural Confederation Cup took place in 1977 and this year’s winner will join an impressive list of past champions, including Cam Fella, On The Road Again, Matt’s Scooter, Art Major, American Ideal and Somebeachsomewhere.
A total of 30 remain eligible to this year’s C$150,000 added race.
An exciting lineup of activities has been planned for this year’s Confederation Cup Night. Racing fans will not want to miss out on a special tribute to the late, great Somebeachsomewhere. The legendary pacer’s driver Paul MacDonell, a record five-time winner of the Cup, will be on hand to sign photos from Somebeachsomewhere’s 2008 Cup victory.
Fans attending this year’s event could walk away with more than a casual interest in the sport. Flamboro Downs and The Stable have teamed up to give away 10 shares of a racehorse, five on Cup Night and five through radio contests leading up to May 20.
The racing fun won’t be restricted to the slightly less than 2:00 for each pace or trot. The Wanna Drive team will be onsite to take fans for sulky rides, while the always popular miniature horses will strut their stuff in an exhibition race.
Sports fans have plenty to be excited about for at this year’s event. Several Canadian women’s hockey Olympic gold and silver medalists will be taking in Cup Night and making an appearance. A sports memorabilia auction will also be happening on Cup Night with all proceeds going to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.
The competition on the track will be fierce throughout the entire evening, as the 2018 Ontario Sires Stakes season kicks off with a Gold event for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings to make up a strong Cup undercard.
The activities off the track will keep fans busy with live entertainment, a stilt walker and balloon artist, a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator, sampling stations and industry booths as just some of the various items fans can check out.
This year’s Confederation Cup promises to be another memorable event, but that experience could be taken to new heights for some lucky fans. Flamboro Downs will be giving away 70 passes for a Molson VIP Experience at the 40th Confederation Cup. To learn more and win a Molson VIP Experience pass, follow Flamboro Downs on Facebook and check back regularly for more details.
First-race post time for Confederation Cup Night is 6 p.m. Make sure to visit www.flamborodowns.com for more details in the coming weeks.
Below is the list of eligible horses to this year’s Confederation Cup.
Air Strike
Art Scene
Bags To Riches
Beckhams Z Tam
Bet On Brett
Beyond Delight
Blood Line
Boogie Shuffle
Calvin K
Classic Pro
Daiymir
Dreamfair B J
Eddard Hanover
Filibuster Hanover
Funknwaffles
Henry Hill
Hurricane Beach
Lawrencetown Beach
Maroma Beach
Modern Reflection
Nascar Seelster
Normandy Beach
Odds On Delray
Penzance Hanover
R J P
Red John
Rock N Tony
Sports Column
Western Hill
Western Joe