Spartan Victory ($26.30) prevailed as the second-longest shot on the board in Friday (July 14) evening’s featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at Grand River Raceway.
The ten-year-old Hard Rock N Roll gelding turned aside two early challengers in pursuit of the early lead, using his inside position to force Happy Holidays (Anthony MacDonald) and Muscle Matters (Bob McClure) to trail him through a :27.4 first quarter. Spartan Victory maintained control of the terms as he rated middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.1, evading a steady first-over advance from Finish Line (Travis Henry) through the third quarter before being driven out at head-stretch.
Ultimately, Spartan Victory would record his fourth seasonal win in 1:57.3, prevailing by a diminishing neck over lukewarm 5-2 public choice Happy Holidays, who found room to angle off the pegs an eighth from home and closed in vigourously. Despite levelling off on the far turn, Finish Line narrowly held third over Stormont Kate (Bruce Richardson), who circled belatedly from astern.
Ryan Holliday drove Spartan Victory for owner/trainer Bradley Pittock.
To view Friday’s harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results – Grand River Raceway