Colin Kelly dominated the Monday evening program at Grand River Raceway, thanks to a five-win performance from just eight drives on the 10-race card.
Kelly got the ball rolling with Bank Of Dad in Race 2. The Matt Dupuis trainee rolled to a narrow victory in 1:57. The reinsman then returned to capture Race 3 with the Bill Budd-trained Dreamfair Tecate in 1:54.4.
Pedigree Blue Chip completed Kelly’s hat trick when he was placed first as a result of a disqualification in Race 5. Rockabilly Charm was the original winner, but he was later placed second for a pylon violation in the first turn. Kelly and Pedigree Blue Chip were awarded the win, and the pacer took home a 1:55.2 race record while extending his winner streak to five-in-a-row.
Adore Him then survived a first-over trip in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers, this giving Kelly his fourth winner on the card. The Curt Blake trainee drew clear to win impressively in 1:54.2.
Kelly took the curtain closer in Race 10 with the John Yake-trained Ilovewhatido in 1:56. The gelding was a head the best despite finishing the race with broken equipment.
The five-win night for Kelly also catapulted him past Robert Shepherd for the top spot in Grand River Raceway’s drivers’ standings. Kelly has piloted 20 winners so far this season, while Shepherd holds down the second spot thanks to his 18 trips to victory lane.
Kelly set personal records last year for wins (127) and earnings ($845,566), but he’s well on his way to smashing those records thanks to his 113 wins and purse earnings in excess of $750,000 with nearly five months remaining on the season.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.