Grand River Raceway announced on Sunday that its 2014 signature races will receive a bump in purse money over the 2013 offerings and the nomination process will return to a three-payment format.

The 17th annual Battle Of Waterloo and sixth annual Battle Of The Belles will be raced during the track’s annual Industry Day Celebration on Monday, August 4 at 1:30 p.m.

The Battle Of Waterloo final (for Ontario-sired two-year-old pacing colts) will be contested for an estimated $180,000. In 2013, the race went for $144,500 and was won by Three Of Clubs for O’Brien Award nominees Gregg McNair and Doug McNair.

The local father-son, trainer-driver duo also won the 2013 Battle Of The Belles (for Ontario-sired two-year-old pacing fillies). Lady Shadow took the lion’s share of the $75,400 purse. In 2014, the race will be contested for an estimated $120,000.

Both races return to a three-payment eligibility system, beginning with nominations which must be postmarked no later than February 18.

While both races (including the eliminations, consolations and finals) 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.

To download nomination forms and complete conditions for both races, click here.

For stakes administration inquiries, please contact at Kim Neelands at 416-675-7223 ext. 4306.

(Grand River Raceway)