Doug McNair pumped his fist in the final strides of the $200,964 Battle Of Waterloo final on Monday at Grand River Raceway as Bettor Sun strode clear to a 1:53.4 victory as the 8-5 second choice.
Avion Seelster swept to the lead from post 6 moving up the backstretch towards a :28 first quarter, but yielded command to Bettor Sun heading to the second turn. Springbridge Duel, the 8-5 favourite, tipped first over from fourth moving to a :56.2 half and marched to race at Bettor Sun’s wheel nearing three-quarters in 1:25.1.
Into the final turn Springbridge Duel lost ground while Avion Seelster raced anxiously in the pocket. By the top of the stretch Bettor Sun hit another gear, kicking away from Avion Seelster while Cantstoplying -- at 68-1 -- claimed third.
“Last week he was surprised by a lot of people, myself as well,” McNair said after the race of Bettor Sun’s 36-1 upset in the Waterloo elimination. “I didn’t think that one of Casie’s [Springbridge Duel] was beatable in that race. But of all the colts we qualified, I thought he went as good as any. I mean he got interfered with in his first lifetime start -- he went a long first over -- it just didn’t work out. He’s really good gaited; he gets around these turns just like a hoop around a barrel.
“The two-hole was a great spot -- anything inside [post] five I thought he had a good shot,” McNair also said. “I figured [Jamieson and Avion Seelster] had a little bit of horse, but three-quarters of the way around the turn I let mine pace and we overcame it. That was a good mile today, [1]:53.4. They did a good job with the track...sometimes this track can get a little deep but they kept it good and hard today.
The victory gave driver Doug McNair and trainer Gregg McNair their fourth team victory in the Battle of Waterloo. The McNairs previously won the Battle Of Waterloo with Magnum J in 2017, Three Of Clubs in 2013, and Trail Boss in 2008.
“It doesn’t feel as great as winning the first time obviously,” McNair said, “but every time is good. This is my home track and I love coming here.”
A colt by Sunshine Beach, Bettor Sun has won two race from three starts, earning $116,558 for owner Willow Oak Ranch. He paid $5.40 to win.
Bursting out of the pocket into the final turn, Scarlett Hanover soared through the off going to a stakes-record 1:54.3 win in the $128,149 Battle of the Belles Final under wraps.
Ring Of Kerry claimed command from the pylon post, allowing Scarlett Hanover to secure the pocket from the second tier. Turning The Table tucked into third as 6-5 favourite Andra Day landed in fourth from post 8 moving to a :27.4 first quarter. The tempo slowed moving towards a :57 half, prompting Andra Day to move first over.
Andra Day advanced to pressure Ring Of Kerry moving towards three-quarters in 1:25.4 but began to back through the field entering the final turn. Driver Ed Hensley raced tightly in the pocket with Scarlett Hanover until finding clearance midway into the final turn. Once fed racetrack, Scarlett Hanover gained separation, opening three lengths on Ring Of Kerry holding second from Cyclone Seelster, who made a three-wide rally up the backstretch and around the final turn to take third.
“My mare was getting a little rammed; she was wanting to get out of the hole...I might have to put some ear plugs or something on her because she’s getting a little aggressive,” Hensley said after the race. “She wanted out, and I was able to get out of there just in time to get her ahead and let her pace down the lane.”
Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Scarlett Hanover won her second race from four starts, earning $101,856. Ashleigh Hensley trains the filly by Bettors Delight who paid $6.20 to win.
Several Ontario Sires Stakes events for three-year-old pacing fillies also filled the Industry Day card. To read a recap of those events, click this link.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.