by Frank Salive, for Western Fair Raceway

London, ON — It would be difficult to imagine a more improbable script for a late closing series winner. The 4-year-old mare Hayseed truly proved she could overcome major obstacles and setbacks enroute to capturing the C$56,800 City Of London Series title at Western Fair on Friday night, June 15.

“People really don’t know what an incredible week it was leading up to this,” explains the mare’s groom, Ben Holliday. “After she won her elimination last week we took her home to Mount Forest, Ontario. She wouldn’t eat all week and she ran through two fences. To win is really amazing and a lifetime moment that we’ll talk about the rest of our lives.”

The Albert Albert-Creative Killean mare didn’t race at 2 or 3. Trainer Dave Holliday commented the mare finally turned the corner late in the winter when he sent her to his son Ryan and she was finally able to qualify on May 11. In just her fourth lifetime start she became the winner of the City Of London Series filly and mare pacing final for owner-breeder David Rae and took a mark of 1:56.2 in the process.

“I was aware the two favorites Pompous Pleasure and Spoutin Off had made breaks early but I think she was a big candidate to win anyway,” upstart driver Alex Lilley explained in his trackside live TV interview after the race. “Definitely this is the biggest win in my career so far. I’m just hoping to keep building my numbers gradually each year and this is a great win to keep going forward from in my career.”

Huge OSS week ahead

With the current Western Fair race meet winding down to a conclusion on June 29, a week loaded with Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) action lies ahead.

On the Monday afternoon program of June 18, a huge agenda of 11 divisions of the OSS Grassroots Series for 3-year-pacing colts is set to go with many of the colts garnering considerable interest.

Buffalo Have Wings in the fifth race will make his debut from the care of trainer Brett Robinson after a purchase by the Gamesetandmatch Stable. He’d been developed by Murray Preszcator for previous owner Dr. Paul Gatfield.

Junior K in the third race is trained by Hall Of Famer Keith Waples for the Shady Hill Stable. He’s already won five of nine starts this year and has Robert Shepherd named to drive in the C$15,000 purse OSS split.

Wholly Louy in the seventh race OSS division stunned the London crowd on May 28 when he tied the track record of 1:53.1. He’s certain to get a stern test this time out from Western Fair’s outside post seven. Bill Elliott trains Wholly Louy for owner Robert Hamather and Brad Forward is again hired to drive.

Cuban Seelster in the fourth OSS division will draw considerable interest for several reasons. Luc Ouellette is scheduled to come to London for this single drive on Monday on the Intrepid Seelster-Calendar Girl gelding. Ray Bunn conditions the consistent OSS performer, and shares ownership with Tara Foy, McCarthy Farms, and Don Thomson. Cuban Seelster has a pair of wins and five exactor finishes from seven starts this year.

On the Tuesday afternoon (June 19) program in London the OSS Grassroots Series dominates again with eight divisions of the Grassroots Series for 3-year-old colt trotters.

A focus of interest on Tuesday will be fourth race starter Dalton Hall, who will make his 3-year-old season’s debut for owner-trainer Gregg McNair and co-owners Len Gamble and Dean Lockhart. Dalton Hall was the 2006 2-year-old OSS Grassroots champion of the C$100,000 final last October 7. Toronto circuit driver Mike Saftic is scheduled to return to the race bike of Dalton Hall in London on Tuesday.

Concluding the intense week of OSS action at Western Fair will be the Gold Series eliminations for 3-year-old colt pacers on Friday, June 22.

Through June 29, post time at Western Fair on Monday and Tuesday afternoon is 4:05 p.m. with Friday evening cards turning to the gate at 7:35 p.m.