Grand River Raceway’s 26th annual Industry Day Celebration is just around the corner, and the event is expected to be one of the best days of the summer for harness racing fans.
Festivities kick off at 1pm on Aug. 1 and post time for the first dash is 1:30pm.
The annual event showcases an 11-race card featuring Grand River Raceway’s major dash, the 19th annual Battle Of Waterloo.
There are 73 Ontario-sired two-year-old pacing colts eligible to start in the estimated $200,000 race.
The eighth annual Battle Of The Belles will be contested for an estimated $140,000 and 91 Ontario-sired two-year-old pacing fillies remain eligible.
The nine finalists for each of those races will be determined during eliminations contested on July 25 with a post time 6:30pm.
Post position draws for both finals will be conducted during the TV broadcast on July 25.
The Industry Day undercard includes Racing Under Saddle, consolation races for the Battles and a Gold Leg for three-year-old pacing fillies in the Ontario Sires Stakes.
As always, Industry Day offers many other delights:
– An all-access kids’ pass available for $5 and includes face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles, pony rides and a petting zoo (1 to 4:30pm).
– Garage sale in the Paddock Annex: all sales benefit the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society from 12:30 to 4:30pm. Donations of horse-related and horse racing-related memorabilia/collectibles/household items will be accepted until July 29. Contact 519-846-5455 ext. 238 or kspencer@grandriverraceway.com to make arrangements for drop-off.
– HPIbet three per cent cash back for wagers through your account on Industry Day races (minimum $50 wager, maximum $100 cash back; other restrictions may apply).
– Enter to win one of 11 prizes valued at more than $4,000.
The prizes include a print of New Kid on the Block by artist Vickie Lawrence. This limited edition (of 100) giclee print is 18” x 22” and is signed and numbered 4/100. It is from Lawrence’s original coloured pencil drawing of the same size and features a frame constructed from wood salvaged from a 100-year-old barn west of Kitchener.
The original drawing was recently published in a book, CP Treasures Colored Pencil Masterworks From Around The Globe, Volume IV by Ann Kullberg.
Only 120 pieces were accepted from the 840+ international entries.
Other prizes include designer watches, a purse by Rebecca Minkoff, Nexgrill Portable Grill, Oster Prima Espresso Maker and Poulan Pro Gas Mower.
– First Bet Is On Us (some restrictions apply).
– Horse Meet ‘N Greet (1 to 3pm).
– Standardbred Canada’s I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club will be on-hand with the Wheel Of Fame and Fan Club merchandise.
– The Ontario Sires Stakes will provide OSS hats for race participants and a lip balm giveaway for fans.
– The 12th annual Drivers’ Edition of the Bouncy Pony Stakes.
For complete event details, visit http://industrydaycelebration.com/.
