The Racing Under Saddle (RUS) Ontario series makes its next stop at Grand River Raceway on Friday, July 26. The group of talented riders will be accompanied by trotters normally seen in harness racing, showcasing the versatility and speed of the Standardbred.

RUS organizer Julie Walker is working hard to promote and expand RUS in Canada.

“Our goal is to become a regular pari-mutuel wagering event in Canada. We see ourselves attracting riders and business people from other equestrian sporting events including thoroughbred, quarter horse racing, eventing and jumping,” said Walker.

The RUS event is carded as race 9B (approximate post time 9:55 p.m.). The RUS riders will also meet-and-greet patrons on the tarmac from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sarah Town, who rides Entry Hanover in the one-mile dash, will be the guest announcer on the Friday night feature, From Bike To Mic. Town will make her race calling debut in race three.

Sharleen MacDonald and Sixth Man look to defend their victory in the most recent RUS event at Hanover Raceway on July 6. Walker owns and trains the four-year-old trotter. Two weeks earlier at Hanover Raceway, Walker piloted him to her first-ever driving win in a harness race.

Riina Rekila joins the field of RUS riders for the first time this year. In 2010, the Finnish-born trainer-driver was the first-ever female nominee for the prestigious O’Brien Award Of Horsemanship.

The complete field is listed below.

# - Horse - Rider - Residence

1. Hetties Honey - Anna Humphris - Campbellville, ON
2. Oaklea Uptown - Marit Valstad - Moffatt, ON
3. Leonardo Da Lindy - Marie Brooking - Rockwood, ON
4. Entry Hanover - Sarah Town - South Hampton, ON
5. Sixth Man - Sharleen Macdonald - Paisley, ON
6. Harlequin - Riina Rekila - Campbellville, ON
7. Lollipop Gal - Linnea Lindstrom - Guelph, ON
8. All Cantab - Jenni Judin - Campbellville, ON

Post time for race one on July 26 is 7:05 p.m.

(Grand River Raceway)