Thanks to everyone who took part in the Fan Club’s Ontario Sires Stakes Survivor Handicapping Challenge and our Industry Day Handicapping Contest.
Eight happened to be the magic number of rounds needed to have a lone ‘survivor’ in the OSS Handicapping Challenge. Ronald Montroy of Chateauguay, Quebec was the only contestant out of almost 200 players, to successfully select a top three finisher in all eight rounds. His pick of two-year-old trotting colt Blackjack Spur in one of the Grassroots events on Tuesday, July 30th at Georgian Downs was the winning one as he was able to survive the final round and eliminate the other two finalists as their selections failed to hit the board.
Ronald has been involved in harness racing for most of his life after being introduced to the racing scene by a friend, Garnett Stephens. He soon quit his job as a truck driver and began working in the industry as a groom. Ronald’s favourite racing memory is when he beat Herve Filion with a mare he trained himself, Simca Hanover; on Filion Day at Rideau Carleton back in 1976.
Ronald will receive a $50 Fan Club Prize Pack along with $50 worth of OSS swag.
In the Fan Club’s Online Industry Day Handicapping Contest, Marlene Malina was one of nine contestants who received a perfect score. Marlene’s name came up in the blind draw to determine the winner. Contestants were asked to pick the winner for the Battle of the Belles (Lady Shadow) and Battle of Waterloo (Three Of Clubs), time of the ‘Battle’,(1:53.4 over last year’s time of 1:53) leading driver (Doug McNair) and leading sire (Mach Three) in purse money for the day. Marlene, an Elmira, Ontario native, has owned Standardbreds on and off for some time now. She currently owns a two-year-old racing in the OSS and regularly attends Grand River Raceway. Marlene will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Canadian racetrack of her choice, a great Fan Club tote filled with swag and a photo of the Battle of Waterloo winner autographed by driver Doug McNair.
Congratulations to both of our winners!
Keep an eye out for I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s next handicapping contest featuring the Gold Cup and Saucer. The Gold Cup will take place on August 17th at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park in PEI.