Grand River: Battle of Waterloo grand slam for Team McNair

The father/son duo of driver Doug McNair and trainer Gregg McNair collected their fourth Battle of Waterloo title together on Monday afternoon at Grand River Raceway, prevailing with Bettor Sun in the C$200,964 event for Ontario-sired rookie colt and gelding pacers in 1:53 4/5.

After pulling a 36-1 upset in his elimination a week ago, Bettor Sun was the 8-5 second choice today and lined up from post two in the nine-horse field. Doug McNair planted him on the lead early, but would release Avion Seelster (Jody Jamieson) when he advanced up to challenge. McNair didn't want the pocket, though, and re-moved Bettor Sun to the lead before the 28 second opening quarter.

Bettor Sun would go on to reach the half in 56 2/5 and then was able to resist a first-over advance from slight favorite Springbridge Duel (Bob McClure), leaving that rival on the rim to the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters. Springbridge Duel began to retreat on the last turn, and when McNair asked Bettor Sun to step away from Avion Seelster late on the bend, he complied, drawing off to score by 2 3/4 lengths. Avion Seelster did hold second over Cantstoplying (Jonathan Drury), with Springbridge Duel fourth. No Better Joy (Colin Kelly) was the fifth-place finisher.

"With the two-hole, that was a great spot. Anything inside five I thought he had a good shot," remarked Doug McNair. "Once he got out of there I let Jody go and came back, and that's a good mile today. They did a good job, though, with the track. Sometimes this track can be a little deep, but they kept it good and hard today.

"I figured Jody had a little bit of horse. Three-quarters of the way around the turn, I kind of let mine pace. The race was on, and he overcame it."

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 now has a pair of wins from three trips behind the gate, and he has pocketed C$116,558. Bettor Sun paid $5.40 to win.

This victory for the McNairs joined previous Battle of Waterloo triumphs with Trail Boss (2008), Three Of Clubs (2013), and Magnum J (2015), and Doug McNair said the feeling of winning Grand River's biggest race never goes out of style.

"It doesn't feel as great as the first time, obviously, but every time is good," he said. "It's my home track, and I love coming here."