Grand River Raceway kicks off its 2010 live racing season on April 12 with a line-up of new features

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The Elora, ON oval will stage 69 cards during its seventh season, which spans April through October. With the addition of Wednesday race nights beginning in June, the half-miler will feature racing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights, in varied spots, throughout the seven-month schedule.

Here are some of the new initiatives being offered by Grand River Raceway throughout the 2010 season:

PADDOCK REPORT

The track's interactive, between-races Tarmac Show will feature a new behind-the-scenes segment on Monday nights. The Paddock Report debuts on opening night with host Darryl MacArthur reporting live from the backstretch. MacArthur, a trainer and former president of the Ontario Harness Horse Association, will interview race participants each Monday night for a fresh and candid take on the evening's action.

Geared to provide viewers with enhanced access to handicapping information, the Paddock Report will endeavour to further Grand River Raceway's goal of engaging fans and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of harness racing. Viewers across all interest levels will find value in the show's mandate to demystify the factors that effect performance, including equipment, track conditions, driver/trainer changes and shoeing, to name a few.

The Paddock Report will also provide real-time updates and invite viewer questions through the Grand River Raceway Twitter and Facebook accounts.

OPENING WEEK

April 12 will also mark the debut of the inaugural Local Biz Night event. Thirty-two local businesses and their staff will enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner and the races before meeting the horse they've been paired with in the Local Biz Night Race. The winning business scores a staff party for 20 and will showcase the Biz Night trophy in their workplace until next year's event.

On April 13, the top performers of Grand River’s 2009 season will be honoured with video vignettes and award presentations throughout the race broadcast.

PRICING

Race fans will enjoy a new price structure for the Captain’s Quarters tiered dining room overlooking the racetrack. Buffet selection has increased, but the prices have dropped to $9.99 per person for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday race nights throughout the 2010 season. The premiere buffet on Friday nights is $23.99 per person, with a reduction for groups of 12 or more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 19 kicks off the first of four major Grand River Raceway Geek Squad handicapping tournaments offering more than $12,000 and four spots in the $25,000 TROT National Handicapping Championship.

Harness racing buffs will vie for major bragging rights and $5,000 in cash and prizes in the all-new Geek Squad Trivia Championship. Qualifying legs will be staged for $750 apiece on the first Wednesday night of each month (June through September) in the Captain's Quarters tiered dining room. The top 10 teams of two from each qualifier advance to the $2,000 final on the last Wednesday night of the season (September 15). The cost is just $15 per person, including dinner and all applicable taxes and gratuities. Each qualifying leg consists of 60 harness racing trivia questions, posed between the races on the Tarmac Show.

The track's marquee event, Industry Day, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2010. The August 2nd afternoon card will feature Grand River’s signature race, the $300,000 Battle Of Waterloo and its companion race for fillies, the $150,000 Battle Of The Belles.

Post time for the season-opener on April 12 is 7:15 p.m.

To view Monday’s entries, click here.