Grand River Raceway is excited to host the third leg of the OLG Ontario Driving Championship (OWDC) in support of Harness the Hope this Friday (Aug. 12).
The OLG OWDC added three legs this year, including Grand River, Leamington Raceway, and The Raceway at Western Fair District. Each racetrack will have five races on a race card as part of the series. The OWDC has also added two additional drivers this season, providing additional driving opportunities for even more female drivers. The championship is sponsored by OLG and Ontario Racing.
The championship also gives a platform to the not-for-profit Harness the Hope to raise awareness and funds for cancer initiatives. They provide direct support to young women faced with a cancer diagnosis and provide much needed awareness, research, earlier detection, and improved treatments for those directly affected by or who may face breast cancer in their lifetime. Their events can be found at various harness racetracks in Ontario and even across Canada throughout each year.
“Giving these top women drivers a stage to showcase their talents is going to bring a huge energy to The River,” says Jamie Martin, Raceway Manager at Grand River. “It’s a privilege to be a part of this championship, allowing great women drivers their opportunity to shine while raising awareness and funds for cancer initiatives.”
Grand River Raceway is planning for a sea of pink on Friday, with pink treats such as popcorn and cotton candy, a pink signature cocktail, and of course Harness the Hope will have a best dressed competition to honour the guest, horse, and groom with the best pink outfit. The event brings an all-women cast for the broadcast team as well with Dawn Lupul, Monique Vág, and Caity Hillier joining the Grand River team for one night only!
Races begin at 6.30 p.m. and the first five races are dedicated to the OWDC. Fans can meet the drivers after the sixth and take home a signed keepsake, and swag from the Harness the Hope booth will be available to purchase to show support towards cancer initiatives.
Come dressed to impress in your pink, watch the great women drivers while raising funds for Harness the Hope!
The OWDC leaderboard coming into the third OWDC leg is as follows.
1. Natasha Day – 29 points (returning 2021 champion)
2. Marielle Enberg – 27
3. Julie Walker – 22
4. Maggie Jones – 18
T5. Marie-Claude Auger – 16
T5. Pam Forgie – 16
T7. Brittany Kennedy – 8
T7. Debi O’Brien-Moran – 8
9. Samara Johnson – 7
The full OWDC series schedule is as follows:
- Hanover Raceway - Saturday, July 16
- Dresden Raceway - Sunday, July 17
- Grand River Raceway - Friday, Aug. 12
- Leamington Raceway - Sunday, Sept. 25
- The Raceway at Western Fair District - Friday, Oct. 14
To view the entries for Friday's card of harness racing at Grand River, click the following link: Friday Entries - Grand River Raceway.
(GRR)