by Frank Salive, for Western Fair Raceway

London, ON — Pacing mare Illusionist is close to concluding a phenomenal 2007 campaign which has seen her set or tie track records at Woodstock, Flamboro, Clinton and Monticello. She did herself proud by finishing in the runner-up spot to Rare Jewel in Grand River’s track record on the 2007 Industry Day and she also boasts a runner-up effort to Woodbine FFA speedball Silent Swing. She’ll arrive at Western Fair on Monday evening (Dec. 17) for the C$18,400 Preferred Handicap Pace on the heels of a pair of wins over the Mares Open class in Toronto.

Can she beat the boys from London’s far outside and toughest post seven?

“If she doesn’t beat them, we think she’ll give them lots to think about and about all they can handle,” says owner David Lumsden of Ancaster, Ontario. “Of course you wonder if she’ll be a bit short from almost a month off and the outside post doesn’t help. But win, lose or draw on Monday night you’ve just got to love a mare like this. The reports from Linda and Phil Coleman are that she’s been in a really bad mood because she hasn’t been able to race with the Mares Open not being carded in Toronto for a few weeks. We’ll be happy to see her back at the track on Monday evening, but I think Illusionist will be happier than us with just getting back to work again.”

It’s been quite a ride for Lumsden since he acquired the Camluck-Mollie Hanover mare just before she won the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots 3-year-old filly pace final. Coming to the end of her 6-year-old campaign her career bankroll stands at over $708,000, with another $201,599 added this year on the strength of 10 wins from 23 starts.

“We always wonder whether she could’ve been at a million dollars by now because of the poor luck she’s had with trips in some major stakes and drawing the ten hole for three straight years in the Roses Are Red final,” laments trainer Phil Coleman. “What ‘Lucy’ (nickname for Illusionist) did this year on all size tracks is really incredible no matter how you look at it.”

In the Monday evening test in the 10th race at Western Fair with Scott Coulter in the bike, she’ll be tackling the likes of last week’s Preferred Pace winner XLB Patrick, the recent Clash Of The Pacific champion at Fraser Downs, Grand Bend Turbo, former Battle of Waterloo winner Button Up, and recent OSS 3-year-old colt pace division graduates Along Came Polly and Cuban Seelster.

Holiday Week Gifts: six days of racing, handicapping contest

The week before Christmas at Western Fair features six straight days of racing from December 17-22 due to the added cards at 4:05 p.m. on December 19 and 20.

Monday evening also marks the start of the free holiday handicapping contest for C$2,000 in cash prizes after four preliminary rounds and the final. The event is based on entry in the main floor simulcast centre prior to the Western Fair live cards this week and is a joint initiative of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) and Western Fair Raceway.

Following the six day run this week, Western Fair will have a three day break from live racing on December 23-25 prior to returning for the traditional Boxing Day matinee on December 26 at 1:15 p.m. featuring a Molson Toque giveaway for the first 500 patrons rendering the program coupon.