The $50,000 C.J. Hindley-Humboldt County Marathon Handicap, the richest race ever run in the 128-year history of the Humboldt County Fair, will headline the final weekend of horse racing at this year’s eight-day meet.

And a stellar cast is expected for the 70th edition of the race, billed as the longest stakes event on the Northern California summer fair circuit where horses cross the finish line four times on Ferndale’s half-mile track.  

The Marathon will be accorded its traditional spot carded as the final race on the “Getaway Day” program on Sunday.

Racing will also take place on Saturday with post time for the opening race set for 2:15 p.m. on both days and free admission for fans on both days.

Racing secretary Tom Doutrich received 16 nominations for the Humboldt Marathon and a full gate of eight is expected to contest the meet’s premier event.

Possible starters include Southern California shipper Mucino, who hails from the barn of Hall Of Fame trainer Doug O’Neill; defending champion Lord Wimborne; 2022 Marathon hero Mount Pelliar; 2021 Marathon winner Honos Man; Brother O’Brien, a three-year-old trained by Tim McCanna, who has been a big-shot on the summer fair circuit; Druidic, who impressively won a seven furlong prep race locally on the opening weekend: and Enos Slaughter, a solid performer in allowance route ranks.

“By putting up a $50,000 purse we were hopeful we would attract some quality long distance specialists, and it appears we should have an outstanding field for this year’s Marathon,” said Doutrich. “And it definitely looks like we will have a full starting gate of eight horses.”

This will be the first time in the long history of the Marathon that three previous winners — Lord Wimborne, Mount Pelliar and Honos Man — have run. 

Francisco Monroy will again ride Lord Wimborne, who rallied on the last turn to surge to the front and capture last year’s Marathon. 

McKenzie King and Mounty Pelliar, the winning Marathon combo in 2022, will again team up on Sunday, while Leonel Camacho-Flores will reunite with Honos Man.

Meanwhile, seven-time Humboldt jockey champion Hugo Herrera and trainer Francisco Rodriguez hold leads in their respective divisions heading into the final two days of this year’s races.

Herrera has taken home 12 winners and compiled 87 points, with five points for a win, three points for a second and one point for a third.

He holds just a one-point lead over Francisco Monroy, who has ridden 10 winners over the past two weekends. 

Jockey Standings — Hugo Herrera, 87 points; Francisco Monroy, 86 points; Epifanio Garcia, 57 points; Leonel Camacho-Flores, 34 points; Cristobal Herrera, 29 points; Jose Rodriguez, 24 points.

Trainer Standings —  Francisco Rodriguez, 63 points; Gary Greiner, 42 points; D. Wayne Baker, 30 points; Tim Abraham, 29 points; Jim Craig, 27 points; Emilio Guerrero, 23 points; Jesus Ramos, 20 points.