Track record set in Battle Of Waterloo elims

ELORA, ON (July 29, 2024) — Rookie pacers duked it out in track record time over the Elora oval in the harness racing eliminations Monday (July 29) for the Battle of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm, and the Battle of the Belles at Grand River Raceway.

Fifth and Five (Bettors Delight – Filou Fly Fast) established a new track pacing record for two-year-olds in the second $15,000 Battle elimination division when he stopped the clock in a sparkling 1:51.4 for driver Jody Jamieson and father Carl, who trains and shares ownership with 1140545 Ontario Ltd. and Trevor Edwards.

He made a quarter pole move to the lead after a :27.1 first quarter and then laid down middle splits of :55.2 and 1:23.4 before kicking home to win easily over Allstar Maniac with Blue Bar finishing third and Tito N Cheddar rounding out the top four.

The father-son combination of Carl and Jody have teamed up to win the Battle Of Waterloo four times together. Individually, Carl has won the race six times in its 34 editions.

FIFTH AND FIVE REPLAY

It was heavily favoured Stonebridge Wizard (Dancin Lou – Odds On Magic) using similar tactics to capture the second Battle elimination for driver Doug McNair in 1:52.4. He turned back a couple of stern challenges in the back half before kicking clear of rivals late for his third victory in four tries on the season. It was Out Of Ice flying late to pick up the place spot with Set Shot and Sterling Choice rounding out the top four.

Stonebridge Wizard is trained by Jared Bako for owner David Kryway and will give Doug McNair a chance at his 6^th Battle title next week.

STONEBRIDGE WIZARD REPLAY

It was the Bob McClure show in the Battle of the Belles eliminations as the veteran reinsman swept both splits with a pair of longshots. In the opening $10,000 contest, he guided 9-1 shot Manhattan Mayhem (Bettors Delight – Manhattan Dragon) to a sparkling off-the-pace win, circling the field in the final quarter to score in 1:53 over Famous Fast Words, Millie May Hanover and Ithadtobeyou. It was a career-best clocking and second straight victory for the filly who is trained by Shawn Steacy for owners Nancy Malik, Tony Basile and Andrew Atlas.

MANHATTAH MAYHEM REPLAY

McClure used a slightly different approach in the second elimination, sending Perfectly Chic first over at the half and the daughter of Betterthancheddar – Fit N Bad wore down pacesetting Wicked N Single for a hard-earned 1:53.2 tally. Wicked N Single held second with Wickedpace and Oneformybaby rounding out the top four.

It was the first career win for Perfectly Chic who is co-owned by her trainer John Pentland along with Steve Mihalic. She had finished second in three previous starts, the most recent pair coming in OSS Gold Series action.

PERFECTLY CHIC REPLAY

The post position draws for both the Battle Of Waterloo and the Battle Of The Belles were held on Monday evening with the top four finishers in each elimination and one fifth-place finisher drawn by lot advancing the finals which will be held on Industry Day, this Monday, August 5^th. Both fields are listed below:

$175,000 Battle of the Belles

1)  Manhattan Mayhem (Bettors Delight)

2) One For My Baby (Hes Watching)

3) Millie May Hanover (Bettors Delight)

4) Perfectly Chic (Betterthancheddar)

5) Wicked N Single (Mcwicked)

6) Famous Fast Words (Sportswriter)

7) Wickedpace (Mcwicked)

8) Saddlebags (Control The Moment)

9) Ithadtobeyou (Bettors Delight)

AE1 Mystic Moment

AE2 Lady Café Au Lait

$245,000 Battle Of Waterloo

1) Sterling Choice (Betterthancheddar)

2) Fifth and Five (Bettors Delight)

3) Set Shot (Bettors Delight)

4) Tito N Cheddar (Betterthancheddar)

5) Stonebridge Wizard (Dancing Lou)

6) Allstar Maniac (All Bets Off)

7) Blue Bar (All Bets Off)

8) Out Of Ice (Hes Watching)

9) Boyd Bay (Jimmy Freight)

AE1 Tip Of Time

AE2 Bunkhouse Boss

New this year, Industry Day celebrations will include, “The Button Up Preferred” for top aged pacers, a race dedicated to the memory of one of our top Industry Day performers. Button Up won the Battle of Waterloo in 2005 then went on to win the Preferred race for aged pacers in 2007, 2010 and 2012.

The wagering menu that day will consist of two pick 5’s. The early Pick 5 will begin in Race 1, with a guaranteed pool of $10,000. The Super-Charged late Pick 5 will have a guaranteed pool of $10,000. There will also two Pick 4’s available, the early Pick 4 will have a guaranteed pool of $5,000 and the late Pick 4 will offer a guaranteed pool of $7,500. The Battle of Waterloo will offer a super hi-5 wager with a guaranteed pool of $7,500. All wagers listed above will offer a low 15% takeout.

Industry Day, now entering its 35th year, brings together harness racing fans, families, and the community to enjoy entertainment both on the track and on the apron. The NEIGHbourhood Kids Area will offer face painting, glitter tattoos, inflatable axe-throwing, and more. Food trucks will be on-site for all guests at the East Gate. Come on out and enjoy a fun, action-packed day. Post-time is set for 12:30pm.

VIP tickets for indoor seating in the Captain’s Quarters are on-sale now. Check out the Industry Day details here.

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For complete race results, click here.

by Louise Frost, for Grand River Raceway