Rookie pacers duelled at Grand River Raceway on Monday evening, July 29 in the eliminations for the Battle Of Waterloo, presented by Winbak Farm, and the Battle Of The Belles.
Fifth And Five was the swiftest winner in the second $15,000 Battle elimination when he stopped the clock in a sparkling 1:51.4 for driver Jody Jamieson and his father Carl, who trains and shares ownership with 1140545 Ontario Ltd. and Trevor Edwards. The son of Bettors Delight-Filou Fly Fast made a quarter-pole move to the lead at the :27.1 mark and then laid down middle splits of :55.2 and 1:23.4 before kicking home to win easily over Allstar Maniac, with Blue Bar finishing third and Tito N Cheddar rounding out the top four.
The father-son combination of Carl and Jody Jamieson have teamed up to win the Battle Of Waterloo four times together. Individually, Carl has won the race six times in its 34 editions.
Heavily favoured Stonebridge Wizard using similar tactics to capture the second Battle elimination for driver Doug McNair in 1:52.4. The son of Dancin Lou-Odds On Magic turned back a couple of stern challenges in the back half before kicking clear of rivals late for his third victory in four tries on the season. Out Of Ice flew late to pick up the place spot with Set Shot and Sterling Choice rounded out the top four. Stonebridge Wizard is trained by Jared Bako for owner David Kryway and will give McNair a chance at his sixth Battle title next week.
The Battle of the Belles eliminations were the Bob McClure show as the veteran reinsman swept both splits with a pair of longshots. In the opening $10,000 contest, he guided 9-1 shot Manhattan Mayhem to a sparkling off-the-pace win, circling the field in the final quarter to score in 1:53 over Famous Fast Words, Millie May Hanover and Ithadtobeyou. The final mile time was a career-best clocking and second straight victory for the daughter of Bettors Delight-Manhattan Dragon who is trained by Shawn Steacy for owners Nancy Malik, Tony Basile and Andrew Atlas.
McClure used a slightly different approach in the second elimination, sending Perfectly Chic first-over at the half and the daughter of Betterthancheddar-Fit N Bad wore down pacesetting Wicked N Single for a hard-earned 1:53.2 tally. Wicked N Single held second with Wickedpace and Oneformybaby rounding out the top four. The triumph was the first career win for Perfectly Chic, who is co-owned by her trainer, John Pentland, along with Steve Mihalic. She had finished second in three previous starts, the most recent pair coming in Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series action.
The post position draws for both the Battle Of Waterloo and the Battle Of The Belles were held on Monday evening with the top four finishers in each elimination and one fifth-place finisher drawn by lot advancing the finals, which will be held on Industry Day, this Monday, Aug. 5. Both fields are listed below.
$175,000 Battle Of The Belles
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Manhattan Mayhem - Shawn Steacy
2. One For My Baby - Nick Gallucci
3. Millie May Hanover - Andrew Harris
4. Perfectly Chic - John Pentland
5. Wicked N Single - Anthony Beaton
6. Famous Fast Words - Jeff Williams
7. Wickedpace - Paul Cameron
8. Saddlebags - David Menary
9. It Had To Be You - Nick Gallucci
AE1. Mystic Moment - Dany Mainguy
AE2. Lady Cafe Au Lait - Victor Puddy
$245,000 Battle Of Waterloo
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Sterling Choice - Blake Macintosh
2. Fifth and Five - Carl Jamieson
3. Set Shot - Ian Moore
4. Tito N Cheddar - Murray Brethour
5. Stonebridge Wizard - Jared Bako
6. Allstar Maniac - Nick Gallucci
7. Blue Bar - Jodie Cullen
8. Out Of Ice - Carl Jamieson
9. Boyd Bay - Marie-Helene Dupont
AE1. Tip Of Time - Ian Moore
AE2. Bunkhouse Boss - William Budd
New this year, Industry Day celebrations will include “The Button Up Preferred” for top aged pacers, a race dedicated to the memory of one of the top Industry Day performers. Button Up won the Battle Of Waterloo in 2005 then went on to win the Preferred race for aged pacers in 2007, 2010 and 2012.
The wagering menu that day will consist of two Pick 5s. The early Pick 5 will begin in Race 1, with a guaranteed pool of $10,000. The Super-Charged late Pick 5 will have a guaranteed pool of $10,000. There will also two Pick 4s available. The early Pick 4 will have a guaranteed pool of $5,000 and the late Pick 4 will offer a guaranteed pool of $7,500. The Battle Of Waterloo will offer a Super Hi-5 wager with a guaranteed pool of $7,500. All wagers listed above will offer a low 15 per cent takeout.
Industry Day, now entering its 35th year, brings together harness racing fans, families and the community to enjoy entertainment both on the track and on the apron. The NEIGHbourhood Kids Area will offer face painting, glitter tattoos, inflatable axe-throwing and more. Food trucks will be on-site for all guests at the East Gate. Post time is set for 12:30 p.m.
VIP tickets for indoor seating in the Captain’s Quarters are on sale now.
Elsewhere on the Monday evening card, Macallan ($3.60) won race nine's $5,800 conditioned trot by seven lengths in 1:52.3. The final mile time equalled the Canadian trotting record for older trotting geldings, set by Fashion Frenzie in 2022 at Georgian Downs. Trainer Tim Cherwaiko co-owns Macallan (Credit Winner-Margarita Hall) with Gary Green.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(With files from Grand River Raceway)