Western Fair: Sintra among new faces for 2019 Camluck Classic

The Raceway at Western Fair District has announced a trio of the confirmed starters for this year’s Camluck Classic which takes place on Friday, May 31. All three horses will be making their debut in the race on what promises to be one of the biggest days in Canadian harness racing this season.

Sintra, who captured the 2017 Canadian Pacing Derby and remains undefeated in seven starts this season, will make his first Camluck Classic appearance for the husband-wife team of Stephanie and Jody Jamieson.

“He’s a special horse and one that we’ve had our eye on for quite some time,” said Greg Gangle, Assistant Racing Manager. “We were unable secure him in the past few years due to scheduling so this year is extra exciting. He’s certainly a headliner and needs no introduction to our racing fans. He remains undefeated this season and holds the track record for 3-year-olds at The Raceway. ”

The 25-time winner has career earnings over $1.1 million and currently holds the track record at The Raceway for 3-year-old gelding pacers of 1:52 4/5.

Ideal Jimmy has enjoyed a resurgence this season for his connections after just making just one trip postward as a 5-year-old in 2018. He has amassed an impressive 7-4-1 summary from 16 starts this year and is one of the highest money winners in North America with $223,000 earned for trainer Erv Miller and owner Don Van Witzenburg of Illinois.

The son of Western Ideal is a career winner of more than $750,000 and is fresh off a gate-to-wire score at the Open level at Yonkers in 1:51 1/5.

Ohio-invader Southwind Amazon will be returning to his home soil as he lines up in the $150,000 dash for trainer Paul Holzman.

The son of Camluck began his career in Ontario before racking up 77 career wins and earnings well over $800,000. The iron-tough veteran is fresh off a second-place finish at Northfield Park, timed in 1:49 4/5.

“This guy is an absolute beast on a half-mile track and his record over the past couple of seasons speaks for itself,” said Gangle. “It’s quite likely that he will be the last son of the late, great Camluck to compete in this race so that is just one of the exciting storylines in this year’s event.”

The 9-year-old boasts an 8-4-1 record from 13 starts this season and is one of the few Standardbreds with multiple sub-1:50 half-mile clockings to his credit.

The Camluck Classic will move back to its traditional Friday night time slot on May 31 after switching to a Saturday night last year. The powerful undercard will include the Ontario Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies, a quartet of City Of London Series finals and several Preferred races.

There will be many other contests and giveaways that night with more details to come. To stay up to date on the Camluck Classic and everything happening at The Raceway, visit www.westernfairdistrict.com.

-edited release (WFD Media)