Melissas Life Upsets Applecart In Elora

Published: August 25, 2008 08:30 pm EDT

Melissas Life used an impressive final quarter rally to knock off the competition in Monday's $12,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace at Grand River Raceway, and that was music to the ears of the longshot players.

The four-year-old Life Sign miss lit up the toteboard to the tune of 22-1 when she prevailed by a head in a time of 1:56.3 for the duo of trainer Eric Lock and driver Steve Byron.

Next to last at the quarter pole, but a head to the good at the finish line was the story for the mare, who edged out St Lads Hailaroo en route to taking the checkered flag for the fourth time this season. Race favourite Fast Desire settled for the show dough after battling on the lead for most of the mile.

Katherine Lock, Debbie Berkeley and Daniel Clark share ownership on the winner, who now boasts lifetime earnings of $113,493.

In other Monday evening action at Grand River Raceway, Loose Change Louie also used last second heroics to take home top prize in a $12,000 conditioned trot for trainer Michael Robblee and driver Donnie McElroy.

The seven-year-old gelded son of San Pellegrino, who was still sitting seventh at the mid-way point of the mile, chased down the leaders and drew off to win by a length in a time of 1:59.4. Race favourite Grin And Boo It set the pace and held for the runner-up award while J M Katie rounded out the top three.

It was the fourth win of the season, and the 22nd lifetime tally, for the OSS graduate. His bankroll rose to $434,619 for Robblee and partners Ronald Thomson of Embro and George Cuthbert of Ingersoll, ON.

To view Monday's results, click here.

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