Nominations for Grand River Raceway’s Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles must be locked in by Feb. 15.

The 24th annual Battle of Waterloo (Ontario-sired two-year-old open pace) will be contested for an estimated $240,000 on Monday, Aug. 2. In 2020, the race went to Bettor Sun, giving the father-son/trainer-driver duo Gregg McNair and Doug McNair their fourth Battle of Waterloo title.

The 13th annual Battle of the Belles (Ontario-sired two-year-old pacing fillies) will be contested for an estimated $160,000. In 2020, Scarlett Hanover set a Canadian season record for rookie pacing fillies over a half-mile track with her victory in 1:54:3. This was a first-time Belles victory for driver Ed Hensley and trainer Ashleigh Hensley.

New formatting was recently announced for both events in 2021. If eliminations are required the week prior (Monday, July 26), elimination winners will draw for post positions number one (#1) through five (#5) in the final. All other finalists will be placed in an open draw for the remaining post positions.

While both races (including the eliminations) will be contested at Grand River Raceway, the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) will handle the stakes administration. As noted on the nomination forms, all payments must be made payable to, and sent to, WEG.

Download nomination forms and complete conditions for the Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles here (pages 27-28).

(Grand River Raceway)