This might be the end of Michigan Sire Stakes

Six full fields have been drawn for Saturday's Michigan Sire Stakes, the biggest day on the Michigan racing calendar.

The series of races, for the progeny of Michigan stallions, will probably be the last run at Great Lakes Downs. It could possibly be the last run in Michigan. With track owner Magna Entertainment having said it will not run a meet at Great Lakes next year, the future of this western Michigan track and Thoroughbred racing in the state is in doubt.

Several proposals to keep the 75-year racing tradition alive have been made, including one by horse owner Jerry Campbell. In a recent horsemen's meeting, he outlined his plans for Pinnacle Downs, to be built south of Detroit Metro Airport. That is close to the area where Magna Entertainment had plans until recently to build Michigan Downs.

The Office of the Racing Commissioner has a hearing scheduled on Monday to consider Campbell's plan and other applications for racing dates for 2008. Several parties have expressed interest in buying Great Lakes Downs from Magna in order to continue racing here.

The older male runners will anchor the Sire Stakes card, led by a past state horse of the year, Rockem Sockem. After a lackluster 2006, the 6-year-old Rockem Sockem has come back to life for leading trainer Bob Gorham and owner Henry Mast, winning two of the three stakes races he has run in this meet.

Gorham has also entered Weatherstorm, the reigning horse of the year, who has taken a back seat to his stablemate.

Among the fillies and mares, Silent Sunset has a win and a second in stakes this season for trainer Joe Lewis and his wife, Diane. She is one of two morning-line favorites to be ridden by 20-year-old Jareth Loveberry. Loveberry will be aboard double stakes winner Hot Chili in the juvenile male division for trainer Laura Jackson.

Valley Loot, from the Ronnie Allen barn, has won three stakes at the track this year. Her only loss locally came in the Ann Arbor Stakes, when she stumbled and unseated rider Mike Allen.

Post time for Saturday's card will be 6:30 p.m. Eastern. There will be a special pick six offered on the Sire Stakes, races 3 through 8.