On Monday, June 3, Grand River Raceway will kick off its 10th anniversary season of live harness racing with several new customer orientated initiatives, including a reduction in the track's takeout rate.

Grand River Raceway will stage 63 cards this season (just two less than in 2012), which spans June through October. The half-miler will feature racing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7:05 p.m. through September. In October, the track drops Fridays but adds a new timeslot — Sundays at 6:00 p.m. (for the full schedule, click here).

Bettors will benefit from substantial changes to the track’s takeout rate structure. The reductions total 23.15 per cent across seven pools:

• Win/Place/Show takeout rate reduced from 21.90% to 16.95%
• Exactor takeout rate reduced from 21.90% to 20.50%
• Daily Double takeout rate reduced from 21.90% to 15%
• Pick 4 takeout rate reduced from 24.90% to 15%

The Elora, Ont. track is also introducing the Super Hi-Five wager for one select dash on each card. This wager challenges players to select the top five finishers in a race. The Super Hi-Five takeout will be 15%.

Also new this year, is the sale of stand-alone 20 cent Triactor, Superfecta, Pick 4 and Super Hi-Five tickets. The adaptation makes it more affordable to play multiple combinations on these popular exotics.

HorsePlayer Interactive (HPI) and Grand River Raceway have teamed up for a number of initiatives to enhance the wagering experience throughout the season.

Grand River will offer HPI account cash cards and free Wi-Fi access to the HPI mobile site to provide a seamless user experience for those who wish to wager on-track via their SmartPhones.

Other HPI promotions this season include: 10-times rewards points for Triactor wagers made on-track on Grand River races all season; a $25 contest called the Tarmac Show HPI Play Of The Day offered twice a week on the Grand River Raceway Facebook page; a three per cent cash back incentive on Industry Day (August 5); and a $50 bonus prize for participants in on-track handicapping wagering tournaments.

OPENING NIGHT

Opening night on June 3 marks the fourth annual Local Biz Night, presented in cooperation with the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce. The event hosts more than 150 local businesspeople paired with a horse in the Local Biz Night Race. Prior to the dash, guests are treated to a cocktail reception hosted by the OLG Slots at Grand River Raceway, followed by dinner and a trip to the paddock to meet their horse.

FUN & FRIVOLITY FRIDAY NIGHTS

The crew from 107.5 DAVE FM returns to broadcast live from the tarmac every Friday night all summer long.

Kids will enjoy the 'NEIGHbourhood,' an interactive horse education program held under the Tarmac Tent from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Tarmac Show revs up the antics on Fridays, including the return of its popular 2012 segment, From Bike to Mic.

The spot features a trainer or driver calling one race on the Friday night card. A panel of race announcers and on-air personalities will rank the calls to crown the season champ. Trainer Carmen Auciello was the inaugural winner in last year’s group of 16 contenders.

2012 TOP PERFORMERS

On June 10, the top performers of Grand River's 2012 season will be honoured with video vignettes and award presentations throughout the race broadcast. Five people and eight horses will be recognized.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming summer happenings at Grand River Raceway include 15 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) events, and the 23rd annual Industry Day Celebration on Monday, August 5. The popular afternoon card features the 16th annual Battle Of Waterloo and the fifth annual Battle of the Belles.

A newly formatted $14.99 buffet will be featured every race night in the Captain’s Quarters tiered dining room overlooking the racetrack. Several dates in June are already sold-out and reservations are always highly recommended by calling 519-846-5455 (Ext. 247).

First-race post time for the season-opener on June 3 is 7:05 p.m.

For more information, visit grandriverraceway.com.

(Grand River Raceway)