Elimination races for Grand River Raceway’s Industry Day event were contested on July 30.
A total of eight elimination dashes were featured on July 30 for three stake events: the $300,000 Battle Of Waterloo (ON-sired two-year-old pacing colts); the $150,000 Battle Of The Belles (ON-sired two-year-old pacing fillies); and the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for two-year-old trotting colts.
All three finals will be featured on an 11-race afternoon card valued at nearly $700,000 on Aug. 6.
In each elimination event, a new Canadian or North American season record over a half-mile track was set.
Creampuff Macdaddy was the first record-setter, trotting to his maiden win in the first of three $40,000 OSS elimination rounds. The 19-1 longshot won in 2:01 for trainer Brad Maxwell and driver Jack Moiseyev.
Raise Your Glass won the first elimination division for the Battle Of The Belles in a new Canadian season record of 1:58. Scott Zeron piloted the filly to complete a natural driving hat-trick.
The Anthony Monica trainee held the mark for just a few races though before Its No Secret churned in her third career victory, pacing to the wire in 1:56.
It was driver Anthony MacDonald’s third win of the night. Its No Secret is one of two Shawn Robinson students to advance to the fourth annual Battle Of The Belles.
Burlesque was a third-place finisher in the second division with Trevor Henry at the controls.
Mach Pride tied the track record of 1:53.2 for freshman pacers set by Prodigal Seelster in 2010. The clocking is also a new North American season record over a half-mile track.
It was the Mach Three son’s fifth win in seven outings for trainer Louie Eftimiadis and owner Gerald Mijal.
Race favourite Tarpon Hanover finished a length back in second for Dave Menary, who will have two contenders in the final.
Windsong Jack was the 1-9 favourite in his division and in a new career best of 1:55.1.
Menary was the 2010 winner of the Battle Of Waterloo with Prodigal Seelster. He will also have a hopeful for the Battle Of The Belles with Macharoundtheclock. She was second to Its No Secret in the second elimination.
The fourth annual Battle Of The Belles and 15th annual Battle Of Waterloo will go postward as races nine and 11, respectively, during Industry Day at Grand River Raceway on Aug. 6.
The Battle of Waterloo is the marquee dash of Industry Day. For complete event details, visit www.IndustryDayCelebration.com
