The betting public was quite fond of Aussie Lover in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred Trot at Grand River Raceway, and the gelding put up a good fight to capture the featured affair in first-over fashion.
With J Harris at the lines, Aussie Lover got away third and watched Sicario hustled the field to the quarter pole in :28.2. Sicario was still in command at the half in :58.2, but he was under attack from the first-over Aussie Lover.
It was Aussie Lover who then muscled his way to the top while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3, and he sealed the deal with a :30.2 closing panel which was good enough to fend of Sizzlen Hot Herbie by three-quarters of a length in 1:57. Jayport Hi Class was third.
The five-year-old son of Angus Hall-His Mistress is owned by trainer Gord Remmen of Campbellville, Ont. and 8113564 Canada Ltd of
Ladies From Hell turned a beautiful, two-hole trip in a 5-1 upset score in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace.
Tyler Borth worked his way into the pocket spot with the Mike Sumner trainee while Catch An Ace motored to the lead and whacked out panels of :27.1, :57.1 and 1:26.4. Catch An Ace dug in but couldn’t fend off Ladies From Hell who found clearance and kicked home in :29.2 to win by a half-length margin over Catch An Ace in 1:56.3. Saulsbrook Jessie was third.
The eight-year-old daughter of Classic Card Shark-Jennys Place now owns a 3-6-3 record from 20 starts this season for Mike and Shea Sumner of
Monday’s card also featured three divisions of the Prospect Series – one for two-year-old trotting colts and a pair for two-year-old pacing fillies.
The son of Muscle Mass-J Marie led through fractions of :31, 1:01.4 and 1:32.4 before stepping home in :31.4 to win by a neck over P C Mercury Rising in 2:04. Taking home third prize in the six-horse affair was Danangus N Donald.
Sent off at odds of 4-1, the colt broke his maiden in just his second go around for owner Gino Toscani of
Pocahontas Du Lac used the same tactics to take home top prize in her $6,500 pacing division.
Samuel Fillion hustled the filly to the top from Post 2 and together they sliced out splits of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:29 before using a :29.2 kicker to win by 6-1/2 lengths over Paddy Melt in 1:58.2. Shes Truckin Now was a well-beaten third.
Sent off as the 2-5 favourite, the daughter of Betterthancheddar-Sheissuchadream cruised to the facile score for Eric Nadeau, who trains the youngster for partners Louis-Philippe Roy, Pierre-Luc Roy, Maude Larouche and Jean Allaire.
The other division went to Lyons Ladyluck and driver Anthony Haughan in 2:01.
The daughter of Shadow Play-Lyons Magic was treated to a two-hole trip behind Badditude through fractions of :29.2, 1:00.3 and 1:30.4. Lyons Ladyluck then summoned up a closing quarter of :29.4 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Juliets Kiss. Badditude faded late and settled for the show dough.
Sent off as the 2-1 favourite, the Anthony Beaton trainee broke her maiden for owner Threelyonsracing of Brantford, Ont.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.