from WFD media relations
London, ON — This Friday evening (May 26) at The Raceway at Western Fair District, harness racing fans will be treated to another terrific Molson Pace card featuring 12 races and some of the sport’s brightest stars.
With the post positions announced this past Monday, horseplayers have been sharpening their pencils to take advantage of the strong wagering menu.
The Molson Pace, slated for race 12, features eight of the sport’s top free-for-all pacers for a purse of C$150,000.
Offering up their thoughts on the big night are Hall of Fame handicapper, statistician, broadcaster and historian Bob Heyden, HRU columnist Dean Towers, and track announcer Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle.
Bob Heyden
1. What’s your initial thought on the field for this year?
There seem to be two possibilities in the race, in my opinion. Jordan Stratton dictates the race with Bit Of A Legend or pure mayhem.
2. What type of wager would you be apt to play?
Triactor: That’s why I put in the 1 (Bit Of A Legend) and backed it up with 7 (Rockin Ron) and 8 (Night Pro).
3. Provide a Late Pick-4 ticket (9-12)
235/468/56/178 Cost: $54
4. Anything else to watch for?
Bit Of A Legend N not only swept the Levy last year, he posted the single biggest season ever for a Down Under horse with over $700,000. Any breather at all and this race is over for the rest of them. But, in the event everyone half loses their mind, it is going to be a mad dash home and I want prices — the boxcar types.
Dean Towers
1. What’s your initial thought on the field for this year?
At first glance when I saw probable race favorite Bit Of A Legend draw the rail I thought we might be looking at a walk over. But after I dug into the race I was thrilled at this year’s edition. Almost every horse has gate speed and most are half-mile track specialists. I watched Clear Vision win last week at the Meadowlands and he’s sharp; and Fool Me Once has looked excellent of late. From the second tier Night Pro has a nice chance to trip out. It’s just a wonderful race.
2. What type of wager would you be apt to play?
I’m a big fan of the Super Hi-5 on half-mile tracks. The takeout is great and it gives your mind a handicapping test — who may land where, what can we take a stab at for a price? If this race goes some crazy fractions — which on paper it may — this bet can pay boxcars.
3. Provide a Late Pick-4 ticket (9-12)
23457/135/7/1348 Cost: $60
4. Anything else to watch for?
Maybe the most talked about card on a half-mile track every year in Canada is the Gold Cup and Saucer. However, from top to bottom, with great horses, good drivers and a nice betting menu with good pool size to bet into, Molson Pace night is my favorite half-mile track evening of the entire calendar.
Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle
1. What’s your initial thought on the field for this year?
It’s the deepest field of Invite pacers I’ve even seen on a half-mile track in Canada! They’ve all been there and done that. What a super nice group of horses!
2. What type of wager would you be apt to play?
It’s all about the Super Hi-5 wager for me. I’d likely play the 1 (Bit Of A Legend N) and 3 (Clear Vision) in the top spots for triactor, superfecta and HI5 plays; they drew well in here, so it’s all based on post position for me. Using 4 (Fool Me Once), 6 (Sunfire Blue Chip) and 8 (Night Pro) for second, third and fourth. Then hit the all button to complete the HI5.
3. Provide a Late Pick-4 ticket (9-12)
456/134589/45/13 Cost: $72
4. Anything else to watch for?
With the addition of drivers like Doug McNair, Mark MacDonald and Brett Miller — among others — look for lots of early speed and great flow throughout the program. It will be ‘On’ this Friday night in London!
The wagering menu on Friday will include a C$5,000 guaranteed early Pick-3, C$10,000 guaranteed early Pick-4, C$15,000 guaranteed late Pick-4 and the addition of a third Super Hi-5 — all low 15 percent takeout wagers.
First race post is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
- Post Time Molson Pace schedule announced (Monday, May 22, 2017)
Post Time with Mike and Mike presented by BetAmerica is excited to announce their schedule for the 2017 Molson Pace at Western Fair.
- Molson Pace field is set (Monday, May 22, 2017)
The field for this year’s Molson Pace has now been finalized, but not before some last second changes to the line-up had to be made. The connections of Rockin In Heaven accepted an invite to join the seven previously confirmed entries and the son of Rock N Roll Heaven is coming off a victory this past weekend at Mohawk — his first victory in three trips postward this season.
- Molson Pace draw complete (Monday, May 22, 2017)
The post position draw for the Molson Pace, which will be taking place this Friday at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, took place Monday (May 22) at the London, Ontario oval.
- Bit Of A Legend N invades Canada for Molson Pace (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)
The 2017 edition of the Molson Pace, slated for this Friday (May 26) at The Raceway at Western Fair District, will feature some of the sport’s top free-for-all pacers. One of the new faces joining this year’s field is Bit Of A Legend N, who will make his first trek to Canada for trainer Peter Tritton. Mike Lizzi photo.
- Busy Grand Circuit weekend begins Friday (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)
The Grand Circuit will take place at four locations this weekend. Action begins on Friday (May 26) at The Raceway at Western Fair District with the C$150,000 Molson Pace for free for all pacers.
- Resurgent Clear Vision roars into Molson Pace (Thursday, May 25, 2017)
John Kokinos is the first to admit that coming up with that ‘special’ horse isn’t easy and that’s why he feels blessed to have a horse like Molson Pace starter Clear Vision in his stable. The son of Western Hanover has banked more than $2.7 million and at age 11 shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s earned more than $130,000 this season with a 4-3-3 record from 13 starts.
- Bit Of A Legend N captures Molson Pace (Friday, May 26, 2017)
Bit Of A Legend N demonstrated his affinity for a half-mile oval with a triumph in the C$150,000 Molson Pace on Friday (May 26) evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District.