Two Tracks In One Day: Adventures In Standardbred Racing

After a full week away from reading and writing about racing I needed my equine fix, so on Monday I gassed up the car and drove two hours across the 401 to beautiful Western Fair Raceway in London to interview Doug McNair who had a superlative 2008 campaign racking up 100+ wins and $1M in purses at the age of eighteen.



The interview is part of a story I'm writing for Down The Stretch on the deluge of young Canadian driving talent in Ontario. I was given a tour of the track by their lovely Marketing Coordinator Jan White which included a trip to the rooftop to meet track announcer Frank Salive. I also had a good laugh with a talented young photographer by the name of Courtney Yake who knows plenty about harness racing and football and has cashed the Pro-Line Tickets to prove it. Check out her website.


Close up to the action at Western Fair!


A rooftop view of Western Fair's tight turns.

After watching McNair win the fourth race, I hopped in the car and rushed back across the 401 to Woodbine where I took in most of the Monday night card and conducted interviews with Jonathan Drury and Scott Zeron to help complete the feature for Down The Stretch.


Hard workin' Jon Drury under the lights.


Rick and Scott Zeron brave the elements for a photo op.

Scott's father, Rick Zeron - one of the top drivers in the country, provided some helpful quotes and I even had a chance to speak with WEG's 2008 leading driver Jody Jamieson. Jody is a force to be reckoned with in the bike and is looking forward to a successful 2009 that he hopes will include a shot at the Hambletonian with a young trotter by the name of Federal Flex. Add that one to your watch list. In fact, add anything Jamieson is listed on to your watch list - the man won 282 races at Mohawk/Woodbine in 2008.


Here's Jody after yet another winner.

If you have a moment, why not check out some other young stars featured on the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society website. There are currently 30+ standardbreds looking for a permanent home. Each one of them with features far more striking than a certain someone below.


Why the long face?