by Kelly Spencer, marketing and communications manager, Grand River Raceway

Elora, ON — The stage is set for the elimination rounds of Grand River Raceway’s signature race, the 11th annual Battle of Waterloo.

A total of 22 freshman pacing colts will face off in three eliminations on Monday, July 28. The top nine finishers will advance to the C$300,000 final on Industry Day, the track’s annual horse racing celebration, on Monday, August 4.

Hall Of Fame driver Ron Waples will join the Tarmac Show on Monday night for special coverage of the Battle of Waterloo elimination starters.

Carl Jamieson will send four starters postward in the quest for his sixth Battle of Waterloo title. Jamieson has captured the race every other year since the inaugural running in 1998. If the pattern holds true, 2008 is his for the taking. Jamieson co-owns each of the four hopefuls: Windsong Fortune, Riopelle, Western Heart and World Away (half-brother to the talented FFA pacer Mister Big, 1:47.4, and winner of nearly $2.2 million).

Silver Sunset (No Pan Intended-Silver Seven) is the quickest winner of the young bunch, with a mile clocked in 1:54.3 at Mohawk in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination race on July 13. Trainer John Pentland finished second to Somebeachsomewhere in last year’s Battle of Waterloo with Fun Of The Game.

Dr. Ian Moore has two hopefuls in Boswell Hanover (Astreos-Brooke Haley) and Thunderfist (Astreos-Mattman N Robin). Boswell is a two-time winner over Charlottetown Driving Park. Stablemate Thunderfist was also a winner over the Charlottetown oval in his first career start in 1:59.2.

Ben Wallace and Gregg McNair also have a pair of prospects apiece as they look for their first Battle of Waterloo training title.

Post positions for the Battle of Waterloo final will be drawn on the Tarmac Show at Grand River Raceway on Monday evening. The draw will be conducted following race nine and will be broadcast as part of the track’s simulcast show.

Post time for race one on Monday, July 28, is 7:30 p.m.