Opening night of the 2026/27 meet at The Raceway at Western Fair District featured four $25,000 finals of the Prospect Series for Ontario-sired three-year-olds on Friday, Oct. 2.

As the 2026 Canadian harness racing season enters the homestretch with a final quarter to go, Trot Insider takes a look at the drivers and trainers leading the way.

In the horse business, the term “offseason” can be a little misleading, as the time between the season that was and the season ahead is filled with plenty to keep busy.

HRU feature by Matthew Lomon

The Raceway at Western Fair District is set to welcome horseplayers, horsepeople and fans back to live harness racing on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, signalling the start of the 2026-27 season highlighted by significantly increased purses, enhanced wagering opportunities and a full calendar of special events.

Ontario Racing (OR) announced earlier this summer that it would contribute additional funding of more than $14 million to the Ontario Standardbred horse racing industry as part of the Ontario government’s plan to increase support to protect agriculture and rural jobs across the province.

Mercutio earned his first victory of the season with a commanding effort in the $12,500 Preferred Handicap Trot over a surface rated good at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Tuesday, May 19.

The $12,500 Preferred Trot headlined the 12-race Monday (May 11) card at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with Siesta Sandman capitalizing on a perfect pocket trip to score with Robert Doyle in the bike.

Tyler Borth retained his Ontario Regional Driving Championship (ORDC) crown as he won the 2026 edition of the contest on Tuesday, May 5 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

P L Oliver matched strides with Cheddar Bay at the finish line to dead heat for the win in this week's $12,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Friday, May 1.

Livingitlarge lived on the rim throughout the second half but dug deep to out-finish My Buddy Sam and capture the $12,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Monday, April 20.

Blinded By Delight visited The Raceway at the Western Fair District for the first time on Tuesday, March 14, and she stamped her authority in the $12,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace with a gate-to-wire victory.

Ladies From Hell led throughout the $10,400 optional-claiming feature pace on Tuesday, April 7 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District to tally her fourth win in her last five starts.

Garrett Rooney delivered one win after another in his first five drives on Wednesday, April 1 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

There were no chasers up to the task of getting to Shoot The Whiskey as she and driver Travis Cullen led every step of the way in the $12,000 Filly and Mare Preferred on Tuesday (March 31) at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

A pair of $12,000 Preferred classes went postward on Monday evening (March 30) at The Raceway at Western Fair District with Cheddar Bay taking the Preferred Handicap Pace and Royalty Beer taking the Preferred Handicap Trot.

Shoot The Whiskey went wire-to-wire in the Mares Preferred Pace at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Tuesday, March 24.

It took most of the stretch drive, but Passarino chased down favourite Royalty Beer following a pocket trip to snag the $12,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Monday, March 16 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Ladies From Hell has been at her best for a little over two years now and continues to show up in the winner's circle - winning twice this month - as a twelve-year-old for the father-daughter ownership duo of Mike and Shae Sumner of London. 

After a win in a conditioned trot last week, Johnny Buckshot returned back to the Preferred Handicap Trot level on Monday, March 9 at The Raceway at Western Fair District and left with another win and the lion's share of the $12,000 purse.