Grand River: Battle of Waterloo, Battle of the Belles elims held

The stage is set for next Monday's Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles finals for Ontario-sired 2-year-old pacers of both sexes after elimination races took place Monday evening at the Elora, Ontario, half-mile oval.

Springbridge Duel (Bob McClure) was sent off at 1-9 in the first C$15,000 Battle of Waterloo elimination for colts and geldings after two impressive wins in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park, but he would be upset by 35-1 shot Bettor Sun (Doug McNair).

Springbridge Duel cleared Bettor Sun for the lead passing the 27 3/5 opening quarter and got to the half in just 57 seconds, but a battle in a 28 3/5 third quarters with a first-up Socrates Blue Chip (Jody Jamieson) softened up Springbridge Duel enough in the lane that Bettor Sun got by, winning by a length and a quarter in 1:54 1/5. Springbridge Duel had to settle for second, with Socrates Blue Chip third and Armor Seelster (Louis-Philippe Roy) back in fourth.

Bettor Sun, a Sunshine Beach-Bettor Think Twice (Bettor's Delight) colt, is trained by Gregg McNair for owner/breeder Willow Oak Ranch. Bettor Sun broke his maiden in his second chance and returned $75.20 to win.

The other Battle Of Waterloo elimination saw Cantstoplying (Roy) in charge early from the pole position, but Candy Trader (Sylvain Filion) popped out of the pocket to take control passing the 28 3/5 opening quarter, and then he would be attacked and overhauled by Avion Seelster (Jamieson) beyond that point.

Avion Seelster rang up a half in 58 seconds, withstood a first-over bid by Watch My Beverage (McNair) to the 1:27 three-quarters, and looked like he was in good shape as Candy Trader gapped back a bit on the final bend. However, Candy Trader got going much better once they entered the lane, and he finished powerfully late, surging by Avion Seelster to prevail by a head in 1:55 2/5. Cantstoplying wound up third and No Better Joy (McClure) came in third.

A Bettor's Delight-Deception (Well Said) gelding, Candy Trader is trained by Tony Beaton for owners Steve Heimbecker, Larry Menary, Michael Guerriero, and Ben Mudry. Candy Trader is now a two-time winner from three attempts, and he has pocketed C$24,862. Candy Trader, who was bred by Fred Kruszelnicki and purchased for $72,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, paid $4.90 to win as the favorite.

Scarlett Hanover (Ed Hensley) dominated on the front-end in the opening C$10,000 Battle of the Belles elimination for the fillies, leading through stations of 27 3/5, 58, and 1:27 1/5 on her way to a two length score in 1:55 3/5. Siri Blue Chip (McNair), Cyclone Sister (McClure), and Shiatzu Seelster (Roy) completed the top-four finishers.

The victorious Bettor's Delight-Sammy's Magic Girl (Western Hanover) filly is trained by Ashleigh Hensley for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Frank Baldachino, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Scarlett Hanover, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. and taken out of the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale for $45,000, picked up her first win in her third attempt, has now pocketed C$37,781, and returned $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

The other Battle of the Belles elimination was much more action-packed as Ring Of Kerry (Filion) got inside position and parked out Plain Jane (McClure) through opening-half panels of 27 2/5 and 55 4/5. Plain Jane then went on a break just past the half, leaving Turning The Table (Jamieson) first-over and Andra Day (McNair) second-over.

Andra Day went on the attack as they raced in the backstretch for the final time, pushing three-wide and clearing after the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters. City By The Way (Hensley) followed that move and loomed boldly from first-over around the final bend and into the lane, but then she made a break in upper stretch, letting Andra Day cruise to a 4 1/2 length win in 1:55. Sports Check (Roy) rallied from fifth to second in the last quarter, and she would be followed by Ring Of Kerry and Turning The Table.

Now undefeated in three trips behind the gate, Andra Day, a Shadow Play-Frame Worthy filly, has earned C$95,133 for trainer Dr. Ian Moore and owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Lind Racing LLC. Andra Day, who was bred by Blue Chip Bloostock Inc., paid $9.40 to win as the 7-2 third choice.

Here are the draws for next Monday afternoon's finals:

Battle of Waterloo
1-Watch My Beverage
2-Bettor Sun
3-Armor Seelster
4-Cantstoplying
5-Socrates Blue Chip
6-Avion Seelster
7-Candy Trader
8-No Better Joy
9-Springbridge Duel

Battle of the Belles
1-Ring Of Kerry
2-Turning The Table
3-Siri Blue Chip
4-Sports Check
5-Shiatzu Seelster
6-Spittin Chicklets
7-Cyclone Seelster
8-Andra Day
9-Scarlett Hanover