This year’s champion Three Of Clubs headlines the group of 19 hopefuls heading to the Elora oval for three Gold Series divisions and the colt will start from Post 7 in the second $70,000 split, aiming to get back to business after missing the Aug. 24 Metro Pace Eliminations due to sickness.
Guelph resident Gregg McNair trains Three Of Clubs and shares ownership on the winner of $116,367 with Tony Lawrence of Hanover and Shady Hill Racing Stable of Durham. Through six lifetime starts the Mach Three son boasts a record of three wins and two thirds, with his 1:53.4 personal best coming in the Aug. 5 Battle Of Waterloo Final.
Arthur Blue Chip won his Battle Of Waterloo Elimination and finished third in the Final, but the Shadow Play son has been flawless ever since, capturing his Nassagaweya division and Metro Pace Elimination at Mohawk Racetrack. Considered one of the favourites for the $683,000 Metro Pace Final, Arthur Blue Chip was scratched due to sickness just one day before the event went postward, so Friday’s event is also a rebounding opportunity for the winner of $194,495.
Dr. Ian Moore of Guelph conditions Arthur Blue Chip and shares ownership of the colt with his partners in the Shadow One Stable of Guelph. The colt will make his eighth lifetime start from Post 2 in the last Gold division, hoping to pad a resume that includes five wins, one third and a personal best 1:51.2.
In addition to their stable stars, McNair and Moore will harness three other hopefuls on Friday. McNair sends out Crafty Master from Post 6 in the third division, while Moore will start Play It Again Sam from Post 6 in the first division and Im Drinkin Doubles from Post 5 in the second.
Grand River Raceway’s Friday evening program begins at 7:05 p.m. and the exciting two-year-old pacing colt battles will take place in Races 2, 6 and 10.
(OSS)