Battle of Waterloo draws 18; ‘Belles attract 17

ELORA, ON (July 24, 2024) — Eliminations will go for both of Grand River Raceway’s marquee harness racing events after 18 entries were dropped into the box for the Battle of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm, while 17 entered for the Battle of the Belles.

A total of four eliminations – two for the Battle of Waterloo and two for the Battle of the Belles – will go to the gate on Monday, July 29 with the first-race post time set for 6:30 p.m. (EDT).

Both Battle of Waterloo eliminations will be contested later in the evening (races 6 & 8). The first elimination gathers nine, including Stonebridge Wizard (Dancin Lou), starting from the Post 2, who has already acquired a mark of 1:52. The Jared Bako trainee turned in two solid performances in the last two OSS Gold legs at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Team McNair will take another crack at winning the Battle, as they send out the undefeated Crack Shot from Post Position 4, the Bettor’s Delight colt is fresh off a pair of wins in the OSS Grassroots.

The second elimination, with nine aligning, will see another McNair starter: Parlay King (Bettors Delight) leave from Post 5, along with Blue Bar (All Bets Off) from Post 9. The Jodie Cullen pupil had an impressive start in the OSS Grassroots series at Woodbine Mohawk Park finishing the mile in 1:52.3, throwing up an impressive last quarter in :26.4.

The eliminations for the Battle of the Belles will take place earlier on in the card (races 2 & 4). Eight starters will go to the gate in the first elimination. Andrew Harris will send out Millie May Hanover (Bettors Delight) out of Post 2 after a 2nd place finish on July 16th OSS Gold leg at Mohawk.

She will be up against the Shawn Stacey trained Manhattan Mayhem (Bettors Delight, Post 6) after her Grassroots win at Kawartha Downs on July 19.

The second elimination will see a field of nine with the two talented daughters of McWicked, WickedPace (Post 2), trained by Paul Cameron, and Wicked N Single (Post 4), trained by Anthony Beaton, duking it out with the John Pentland trained, Perfectly Chic (Post 9).

For the two Battle of Waterloo eliminations, the top-four finishers will advance to the $205,000 final with a fifth-place finisher drawn by lot. Both of the Battle of the Belles eliminations will follow the same format, with the top-four finishers advancing to the $140,000 final, and the fifth-place finisher drawn by lot. The winner of each elimination earns a guaranteed draw between posts 1 and 5 for their respective finals. The 34th edition of Industry Day will take place on Monday, August 5th, Post time 12:30pm.

To check out further details about Industry Day or to book VIP seating in the Captain’s Quarters, click here.

by Louise Frost, for Grand River Raceway