Grand River Set For Kick Off

Published: April 27, 2012 01:01 am EDT

Grand River Raceway kicks off its 2012 live racing season on May 2 with a line-up of returning favourites

and new features.

The Elora, Ont. oval will stage 66 cards during its ninth season, which spans May through October. The half-miler will feature racing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, in varied spots, throughout the season. Click here for the full schedule.

The track's interactive, between-races Tarmac Show returns with a bevy of contests and video features. Paddock Report host Darryl MacArthur returns on Monday nights with live reports from the backstretch. Geared to provide viewers with access to enhanced handicapping information, the Paddock Report relays commentary from the connections of starters prior to each race.

OPENING NIGHT
Opening night marks the third annual Local Biz Night, presented in cooperation with the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The event will host more than 200 local businesspeople paired with a horse in the Local Biz Night Race. Prior to the dash, guests are treated to a cocktail reception hosted by the OLG Slots At Grand River Raceway, followed by dinner and a trip to the paddock to meet their horse.

2011 TOP PERFORMERS
On May 7, the top performers of Grand River's 2011 season will be honoured with video vignettes and award presentations throughout the race broadcast. Five people and eight horses will be recognized.

May 7 also kicks off the first of six Grand River Raceway Handicapping Tournaments offering more than $5,000 in cash prizes throughout the season.

UPCOMING EVENTS
A full roster of race night events are in the works for 2012, including:

• May 27 - Open House: An interactive glimpse of harness racing behind the scenes, including the chance to drive a racehorse. Presented in cooperation with the Ontario Harness Horse Association and the Hands On Horses Program. This is a free event suitable for all ages.

• June 1 – Second annual Tri-Pride Night At The Races featuring horse racing’s only Drag (Queen) Race. The inaugural event in 2011 was Tri-Pride’s most successful single fundraising event to date.

• Fun & Frivolity Friday Nights – Friday night racing is offered June 1 through October 12. In June, July and August, 107.5 DAVE FM will broadcast live from Tarmac Tent, alongside the NEIGHbourhood (Grand River Raceway’s interactive horse education program for kids).

• June 29 - Horse Name Costume Game: $500 in cash prizes for participants of all ages; challenges race fans to dress in the likeness of the name of a horse racing that night. Incredible costumes from more than 150 participants in 2011 ensures great fun in 2012.

• August 6 (1:30) – 22nd annual Industry Day: Celebration of horses and the harness racing industry, featuring the $150,000 Battle Of The Belles and $300,000 Battle Of Waterloo

• Saturday, September 29: Special addition of a Saturday night card to host the $800,000 Championships of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series. Eight $100,000 championship races are featured in this prestigious event which makes its first-ever showing at Grand River Raceway.

A newly formatted $12.99 buffet will be featured every race night in the Captain’s Quarters tiered dining room overlooking the racetrack.

Post time for the season-opener on May 2 is 7:05 p.m.

For more information, visit www.GrandRiverRaceway.com.

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