Grand River Raceway’s Fun and Frivolity Friday Night will be even more entertaining this week as the Elora oval hosts three divisions of Grassroots action for the two-year-old trotting fillies and the Ontario Sires Stakes 'Be A Winner' contest.
The novice trotting fillies will test their skills in Races 1, 4, and 6 and trainer Wayne Henry is hoping his latest round of tinkering will help Warrawee Storm’s full potential emerge.
“She trained down really nice,” said the Arthur, Ont. resident. “I’m having trouble getting the shoeing figured out on her. I changed her shoes again today (Tuesday).
“She has a good engine in her when things are right,” added Henry, who shares ownership of the filly with Fred Brayford of Alliston and Daylon Farms Ltd of Komoka, ON.
The trio purchased the filly out of the Canadian Yearling Sale, offering up $31,000 for the daughter of Windsong Espoir-Warrawee Indy. Henry has a long history with the family, having driven Warrawee Storm’s grand-dam Independent Dame to Gold and Grassroots victories for his father Ross Henry in 2000 and 2001. The Henry Stable also campaigned four of Independent Dame’s siblings.
Once Independent Dame started her broodmare career, Henry purchased two of her offspring, including $327,624 winner Major Herbie, and Warrawee Storm is the second foal from her daughter Warrawee Indy that the horseman has acquired. Her elder brother Warrawee Promesse was a Gold and Grassroots winner in 2013 and 2014, banking $140,230 for Henry and Brayford.
Henry will steer Warrawee Storm from Post 4 in the third $18,000 division, facing off against a field of seven that includes Inner Drive, a winner from the July 21 Grassroots event at Mohawk Racetrack who will start from Post 2. Henry is hoping his most recent shoeing change helps Warrawee Storm improve on the fifth-place result she delivered on July 21.
“I’ve had them on backwards, and different sizes, tipped this way, tipped that way,” said Henry of the filly’s recent footwear. “(Friday) she’ll wear 5/8-inch half-rounds up front with Razer pads and aluminum shoes behind.
“She’ll either like it or she won’t,” added the horseman philosophically. “All she can is do is try.”
Fans pulling for Warrawee Storm can fill out their “Be A Winner” contest entry form and deposit it in the ballot box inscribed with her name. One ballot will be selected from each of the eight boxes representing a starter in Race 6 and each of those lucky finalists will receive an Ontario Sires Stakes t-shirt, ball cap, and lanyard badge along with a $15 win-place-show wager on their chosen horse. The finalist whose horse wins the race will join the filly’s connections in the winner’s circle and add a trophy, jacket and golf shirt to their Ontario Sires Stakes goodie bag. They will also receive a commemorative photograph and a $50 wagering voucher.
In addition to the trio of Grassroots divisions and “Be A Winner” contest, fans will enjoy the usual line-up of Fun and Frivolity Friday Night entertainment.
The crew from 107.5 Dave Rocks will be broadcasting live from under the Tarmac Tent from 7 to 10 pm and fans keen to put their own racing skills to the test can participate in the weekly Bouncy Pony Stakes after Race 9.
The NEIGHbourhood kids’ program runs from 6:30 to 8:30 pm under the Tarmac Tent, culminating with the opportunity to join the winner of Race 5 for a photo and meet another racehorse during the Friday Night Barn Tour following Race 5.
Grand River Raceway’s full Fun and Frivolity line up gets under way at 6:35 p.m., with the two-year-old trotting fillies waging their Grassroots battles in Races 1, 4, and 6.
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To view entries for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Entries – Grand River Raceway.