Grand River Raceway featured an 11-race card

Grand River Raceway celebrated its 35th annual Industry Day on Monday, August 5, with an 11-race card featuring the $245,400 Winbak Farms Battle of Waterloo and the $175,200 Battle of the Belles finals for 2-year-old pacers.

Winbak Farms Battle of Waterloo:

 Doug McNair guided Stonebridge Wizard to victory, clocking 1:51.2 and setting a new track record for 2-year-old male pacers. Stonebridge Wizard, a 5/2 second choice, held off Sterling Choice and a challenging Fifth and Five to secure his fourth-lifetime win. The gelding, trained by Jared Bako and owned by David Kryway, surpassed his own Canadian seasonal record for 2-year-old pacing geldings.

Battle of the Belles:

 Wicked N Single, driven by James MacDonald, won in 1:53.2 despite a pylon inquiry. After surviving the review, Wicked N Single edged out Wickedpace and Manhattan Mayhem. The filly, owned by Lisa Lafort and David Mercer, is trained by Anthony Beaton and earned her third win in five starts.

Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots:

- Race 6: Century Komodo, driven by Doug McNair, won in 1:52.2, pulling ahead of Chalk Hanover and McWicked Time. The 1/9 favourite, trained by Anthony Beaton, secured his fourth career win.

- Race 7: Lakers Bank set a divisional track record of 1:51.4, winning by over two lengths. Driven by Trevor Henry, the gelding overcame post #8 and edged out Always a Thrill and McPleasant. Trained by Tim Myers, Lakers Bank is now the fastest 3-year-old pacing gelding in Canada for 2024.

- Race 8: The Vicar, driven by Louis-Philippe Roy, won in 1:51.1, setting a new Grand River divisional record and becoming the fastest 3-year-old male pacer on a 5/8-mile track this season. Trained by Tyler Moore, The Vicar secured his eighth lifetime win.

- Race 9: Sauble Ace, with Jason Ryan driving, scored a mild upset in the $11,000 Button Up Preferred-2, winning in 1:51.1. The 7/2 shot overcame Ideal Perception for his fourth victory of the year. Sauble Ace is trained by Otis Hall and owned by Sauble Hill Farms and Nasussito Racing Inc.

Grand River Raceway will resume live racing on Friday, August 16.