Bob McIntosh sent out two elimination winners in the $205,200 Battle of Waterloo final, presented by Winbak Farm, at Grand River Raceway on Monday (Aug. 7) afternoon, and neither one of them disappointed.
Do Better, a gelded son of Bettors Delight, guided by Sylvain Filion, delivered as the public’s choice to capture the prized event in 1:54.3. Always A Thrill, the second of two homebred rookies for McIntosh, finished second to complete the exacta for the stable.
Off as the 1-9 favourite, Do Better got away fifth off the car from post-position three and inherited the fourth spot after Chalk Hanover jumped it off before the first quarter, which was clocked in :27 by pacesetter Max Patrick. Filion sat right behind stablemate, Always A Thrill, and waited patiently for him to make his move before following his cover. Bob McClure made a first-over bid just before a :56.4 half and Do Better followed suit. The two McIntosh homebreds separated themselves from the field at the three-quarter pole in 1.25.3, where Do Better drew away for the score. Always A Thrill finished second and Enforcer finished third.
For reinsman Sylvain Filion, there was never an ounce of panic.
“I didn’t want to get caught up in a speed duel early,” admitted Filion. “When I saw Bob leaving out, I figured he’d be great to follow. It worked out.”
For Filion, the win gave him his first Battle of Waterloo trophy, a race he’s finished second in four separate times.
“I’ve been in this race many times and to get into the winner’s circle today was very satisfying. He’s a very, very nice horse who’s done every right so far.”
Bob McIntosh couldn’t be there in person to witness his second Battle of Waterloo title, but co-owner Marv Chantler of Mardon Stables is sure the Hall of Fame conditioner is as proud as he is.
“Bob and I have a great relationship, for many, many years,” said Chantler. We’ve had a lot of fun, made a lot of money. I’m sad Bob isn’t here today, but he’s definitely pleased. He’s hurting physically right now but finishing first and second in this race isn’t so hard to take!”
Do Better remains undefeated through five starts, amassing $181,150 to date. The win provided Filion his first Battle of Waterloo trophy and McIntosh his second in this marquee event. The gelding paid $2.20 to win.
In the $138,400 Battle of the Belles, things didn’t go as many anticipated, with Cheese Party, a daughter of Betterthancheddar, blowing up the toteboard to deliver at odds of 50-1. After 1-5 favourite, Pass Line, put in steps behind the gate, the race shaped out for a major upset, with Trevor Henry and the Kyle Bossence trainee there to deliver just that.
Once James MacDonald and Pass Line put in steps behind the gate, the two Luc Blais trainees from the inside, Greatest Pleasure and Collusion Hanover, got off the gate first and second. Louis-Philippe Roy opted to re-move his elimination winner to take control of the race in a first quarter of :27.3. Leading through a half of :57.4 and a third quarter of 1:26.3, the daughter of Bettors Delight got a little leg weary turning for home, with the backfield coming to life. After getting a second-over trip, Henry tipped Cheese Party three-wide before the final turn and managed to hang on by a nose, holding off a hard-charging Pass Line, who recovered nicely despite the miscue.
The win gave Trevor Henry his second straight Battle of the Belles title, but the reinsman admitted even he was surprised.
“We were hoping to get a cheque, more or less,” admitted Henry. “At the start when the favourite ran, then another one did, it set up for her. We got lucky enough to get cover from Dougie [McNair driving Bonitas Best Bet] and she responded.”
Asked if he thought he’d get there, Henry wasn’t sure.
“I didn’t know whether she’d get there. Worst case scenario I thought we’d be third. I was worried about James on the far outside coming back on, but my filly got it done. Anything can happen.”
The win gave owner/trainer Kyle Bossence his first victory in this event, but even he didn’t see this coming.
“I didn’t expect to win, I was hoping for a piece going for that kind of money. I said before the race, these are two-year-olds, anything can happen. You never know. This is the biggest win of my career. All my family is here, Trevor, who is my neighbour, is here and it couldn’t have happened any better.”
The win gave Cheese Party the first of her career and vaulted her earnings to $82,525. She paid $103.20 to win.
Two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions were sent out as the third leg in the series for sophomore pacing fillies. In the $101,300 division of seven fillies, One Last Wish ($4.40) made every pole a winning one en route to a four-length achievement in 1:53.1 with Paul MacDonell in the bike for trainer Ken Sucee and owners Brian and David Legge. Picking up her seventh career win, the daughter of Bettors Delight-Arts Diva has now banked $225,668.
Bob McIntosh trainee Favorite Beach and James MacDonald took the six-horse field through every panel before winning the $100,400 OSS Gold division by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., and Mardon Stables, the Sunshine Beach-Lets Head Out West daughter won her third race to go along with $130,372 in lifetime earnings. She paid $12.60 to win.
Major League N won the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace with a gate-to-wire trip dictated by driver Ed Hensley for trainer Ashleigh Hensley. The pair won by a head in 1:54.4 for the upset victory that paid a $72.10 win ticket. Ed and Ashleigh Hensley co-own the 10-year-old mare as she won her 33rd race and moved her career sum to $322,938.
In similar suit to the other feature races, Arrakis won every step of his mile in a $15,000 Preferred 2 Trot with Austin Sorrie in the bike for Francis Guillemette. Posting a win by a half-length, the final time was clocked 1:57.1 for the 11-year-old owned by Guillemette and Robert Bernicky. He pushed his career earnings to $611,850 and tallied his 47th win. Arrakis paid $11.40 to win.
Finally, with one more swoop of the Elora, Ont. oval from start to finish, Anthony Beaton trainee Ideal Perception won the $15,000 Preferred 2 Pace with James MacDonald at the controls by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2. Owned by S S G Stables, the six-year-old horse made it his 23rd win with $324,597 earned. He paid $5.80 to win.
The 34th Industry Day card, which featured 11 races, had an all-sources handle of $590,824. That was the biggest handle in the history of Industry Day at Grand River.
A replay of COSA TV's coverage is available below.
Racing continues at Grand River Raceway on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday schedule through September starting each night at 6:30 p.m.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(with files from Grand River Raceway)