Grand River Raceway kicks off its 2012 live racing season May 2 with a line-up of favourites and new features.
The track will have 66 cards in its ninth season, which spans May through October. It will feature racing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on varied dates on the half mile track. The full schedule can be seen at http://www.grandriverraceway.com/web/?page_id=23.
The trackfeatures much more than racing. The interactive, between-races Tarmac Show returns with a variety of contests and video features. Paddock Report host Darryl MacArthur is there on Monday nights with live reports from the backstretch. It is 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
The first night of racing 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 have 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.
May 2 also kicks off the first of six Grand River Raceway handicapping tournaments offering more than $8,000 in cash prizes throughout the season and three spots in the $25,000 TROT National Handicapping Championship.
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. Four people and eight horses will be recognized.
Coming 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. It is presented in cooperation with the Ontario Harness Horse Association. It is free and 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 and Frivolity Friday Nights, with Friday night racing offered June 1 through Oct. 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 that 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;
– Aug. 6 at 1:30pm, the 22nd annual Industry Day, a celebration of horses and the harness racing industry, featuring a $150,000 Battle Of The Belles and $300,000 Battle Of Waterloo;
– Sept. 29, a special addition Saturday night card to host the $800,000 championships of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series. Eight $100,000 championship races are featured in the 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 7:05pm.
For more information, visit www.GrandRiverRaceway.com.
