by Kelly Spencer, Mgr. Marketing & Communications, Grand River Raceway

Elora, ON — Grand River Raceway staged its final race night of the 48-day meet on Sept. 29.

Despite fewer races and fewer cards, the average bet per race jumped 17.8 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Total wagering on Grand River Raceway is up 6.7 percent from just under C$6.5 million in 2013 to C$6.9 million this year, based on the first 48 race dates of 2013.

Iron Horse Photo

Leona Ruddock was the grand prize winner in the finale of the track’s handicapping contest.

Leona Ruddock of Kitchener, Ontario was the grand prize winner in the finale of the track’s handicapping contest. The Grand River regular beat 109 fellow handicappers to claim a spot in the $50,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship at Meadowlands Racetrack in April 2015.

Ruddock scored a bankroll of $92.90 with hypothetical $2 win and place bets on races two through seven. A 23-1 whopper in race six solidified Ruddock’s win when trotter Lady Is A Pirate and Tyler Borth lit up the toteboard with a three-quarter length score in a new season’s best of 2:00.2.

Finishing second through fifth in the contest and winning a $50 HorsePlayer Interactive cash card were John Dametto, Stuart Perry, Thomas Lane and Larry Lougheed.

Live racing returns to Grand River Raceway on June 1, 2015.