Two $10,000 eliminations for the Battle Of The Belles were contested for Ontario Sired two-year-old pacing fillies on Monday (July 27) at Grand River Raceway, with driver Bob McClure taking both eliminations aboard Jersey Bulldog and Money Carlo for trainers John Pentland and Dr. Ian Moore respectively.
Each elimination featured a field of six, with the top four guaranteeing their spot on the $165,000 final on Monday, Aug. 3, with one of the two fifth-place finishers being drawn in by lot.
Jersey Bulldog left from post five in the first elim, where she got away in the third spot on the first turn as the 7-5 second choice while Aceandaten (Doug McNair) blitzed to the lead with a :26 opening fraction. McNair rated the revved-up leader to the half, reaching that station in :55 unchallenged. As the fillies made their way to the backstretch, pocket-sitter Lyons Bulldog (Mark MacDonald) went off-stride, leaving Jersey Bulldog 4-1/2 lengths to make up with Aceandaten on top at three-quarters in 1:23.
Jersey Bulldog closed the gap on the final turn, taking aim at Aceandaten as the fillies turned for home. Jersey Bulldog stormed to the lead in the stretch, pacing away by three lengths on the wire in a career best 1:51.4 over Aceandaten. Silk Lace (Jody Jamieson) rallied to be third, while In This Moment (Louis-Philippe Roy) secured the final guaranteed spot into the final in fourth.
The victorious daughter of Bulldog Hanover-Gallie Beach has won two of four this season for owners John Pentland of Dorchester, Ont., Sherri Sumner of Dorchester, Ont., Jack Darling Stables of Cambridge, Ont., and Alan Alber of Thornhill, Ont. Jersey Bulldog now sports earnings of $44,500 following the career best effort. Jersey Bulldog paid $4.80 to win at the betting windows.
McClure came back in the second elimination with the Dr. Ian Moore trained Money Carlo who remained unbeaten through three tries in her young career.
Off the wings from post three as the 1-9 favourite, Money Carlo floated away before moving to the top around Cupcakesontuesday (Doug McNair) through an opening quarter of :27. Money Carlo went unchallenged to the half in :55.4 before Lyons Flurry (Louis-Philippe Roy) applied first-over pressure to the leader at three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Money Carlo repelled the first-over bid on the final turn, turning for home with a two length advantage while Lyons Flurry regrouped into the pocket. From there, Money Carlo and a motionless McClure coasted to the wire and maintained that two length advantage over Lyons Flurry in 1:52. Cattle Belle (Jody Jamieson) got up for third, with Cupcakesontuesday securing her spot in the final.
Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. owns Money Carlo, a daughter of Bulldog Hanover-Shes Some Treasure. Money Carlo boasts a career bankroll of $105,000 along with her spotless resume. She returned $2.10 to win to her backers at the windows.
The field was drawn for the final on Monday evening, with In This Moment drawing in as the fifth place finisher from the first elimination.
$165,000 Battle of the Belles - Monday, Aug. 3
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Cattle Belle – Jody Jamieson - Carl Jamieson
2. Jersey Bulldog – Bob McClure - John Pentland
3. Lyons Flurry – Louis-Philippe Roy - Anthony Beaton
4. Money Carlo – Bob McClure - Dr. Ian Moore
5. Aceandaten – Doug McNair - Gregg McNair
6. Rhymes With Regina – Jody Jamieson - John Pentland
7. Silk Lace – Jody Jamieson - Carl Jamieson
8. In This Moment – Louis-Philippe Roy - Zachary Carroll
9. Cupcakesontuesday – Doug McNair - Gregg McNair
AE1- Aint She A Pistol – Travis Cullen - Jeff Williams
AE2- My Bets On Bob- Travis Cullen- Jeff Williams
With no eliminations required, the $205,000 Battle of Waterloo final for Ontario-sired two-year-old open pacers was drawn during Mondays Grand River live card. The field of nine is slated to go on Monday, Aug. 3 and is listed below:
$205,000 Battle of Waterloo - Monday, Aug. 3
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. GoGo Gadget – Jonathan Drury – Kyle Bossence
2. Wheels Up – Paul Davies - Paul Davies
3. No More Exs – Travis Henry – Murray Brethour
4. C Script – Doug McNair – Gregg McNair
5. Will Farroh – Jason Ryan - Gregg McNair
6. The Swooper – James MacDonald - Gregg McNair
7. Stampede – Trevor Henry – Craig Barss
8. Calmbeforstorm – JR Plante -Gaetan Hebert
9. Slick Draw – Steve Hudon- Steve Hudon
Both events will highlight the 37th annual Industry Day card at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Aug. 3 with Winbak Farm returning as presenting sponsor of the Battle Of Waterloo.
To view Monday's Harness Racing Results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada / with files from Grand River Raceway; Photo of Money Carlo)