Grand River Raceway kicks off its 2011 live harness racing season on Monday, April 25 with a line-up of returning favourites, new features and some of Ontario's top
talent.
“Grand River has always been one of my favourite tracks to drive on,” driver Doug McNair recently told the Guelph Mercury. “There’s a great atmosphere, it’s a well-run place and I always get lots of friends there. It’s always fun to race there Fridays and see my friends afterwards.”
The Elora, ON oval will stage 69 cards during its eighth season, which spans April through October. The half-miler will feature racing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, in varied spots, throughout the season.
The track's interactive, between-races Tarmac Show returns with a bevy of contests and video features, including a weekly Battle Report leading up to its Industry Day event on August 1, and the popular Tarmac Chat segment with race participants.
Paddock Report host Darryl MacArthur returns on Monday nights with live reports from the backstretch. Geared to provide viewers with access to enhanced handicapping information, the Paddock Report relays commentary from the connections of starters to viewers, prior to each race. 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, shoeing, etc.
OPENING NIGHT
Opening night on Easter Monday (April 25) features an adult Easter Egg Hunt valued at $500. Patrons are guaranteed to find an egg in their race program valued between $2 to $100.
April 25th also kicks off the first of six Grand River Raceway Geek Squad Handicapping Tournaments offering more than $14,000 in cash prizes throughout the season and four spots in the $25,000 TROT National Handicapping Championship.
Opening night marks the return of Local Biz Night, presented in cooperation with the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The sold-out event will host more than 200 local businesspeople who are paired with a horse in the Local Biz Night Race. Prior to the dash, guests are treated to a cocktail reception hosted by the OLG Slots At Grand River Raceway, followed by dinner and a trip to the paddock to meet their horse.
2010 TOP PERFORMERS
On May 2, the top performers of Grand River's 2010 season will be honoured with video vignettes and award presentations throughout the race broadcast. Video vignettes of the award recipients are available on the track’s YouTube channel.
UPCOMING EVENTS
A full roster of race night events are in the works for 2011, including:
• May 23 - Green Horse Night: A celebration of all things green in the horse industry; includes a giveaway of 200 bags of gardening mulch made from horse manure.
• May 29 - Open House: An interactive glimpse of harness racing behind the scenes, including the chance to drive a racehorse. This is a free event, suitable for all ages, presented in cooperation with the Ontario Harness Horse Association.
• June 3 - Tri-Pride Night At The Races featuring harness racing's first-ever Drag (Queen) Race.
• June 17, July 15, August 19 - Horse Name Costume Game: $5,000 in cash prizes for participants of all ages; challenges race fans to dress in the likeness of the name of a horse racing that night. Incredible costumes from more than 150 participants in 2010 ensures great fun in 2011.
• August 1 (1:30) – 21st annual Industry Day: Celebration of horses and the harness racing industry, featuring the $150,000 Battle Of The Belles and $300,000 Battle Of Waterloo
• September 19 - 30: OSS Goldathon — six consecutive race nights of Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events; promotions include a $1000 handicapping tournament.
• October 24 – Hallo’whinny: Annual free community event for kids featuring an indoor mini-carnival and costume parade on the tarmac.
The track ramps up its Tarmac Show offerings during 19 Fun & Frivolity Friday Nights (June 3 through October 7) including: a new Harness Racing Bingo game; The NEIGHbourhood -- children’s interactive horse education program; and, the world famous Bouncy Pony Stakes.
A newly formatted $11.99 buffet will be featured every race night in the Captain’s Quarters tiered dining room overlooking the racetrack.
Post time for the season-opener on April 25 is 7:15 p.m. To view Monday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Monday Entries - Grand River Raceway.
ALLWAYS Liked the track and
ALLWAYS Liked the track and the people that RUN it. Have a GREAT SEASON. A $11.99 BUFFET !!!!!! DID YOU READ THAT WEG/MOH PLUS TAX A BARGAIN ENJOY !!!!
Grand River is a prime
Grand River is a prime example of what a track can be when it is run by people who love the sport. If you've never been there, you owe it to yourself to go at least once. After that you'll want to go again and again. Good luck with the new season and don't ever let it fall into the hands of the gambling companies.
If all the tracks were as
If all the tracks were as interesting attendance would be up at every one of them. Just a great place to spend an evening.
Have a Great year Grand
Have a Great year Grand River !!!! How can they lose with Kelly Spencer Promotions.