A change of tactics proved beneficial for Charlie Is A Joker ($5.40), who was all business in making his 2018 Grand River Raceway debut a winning one on Wednesday (June 13) in the featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot.

After failed efforts from astern at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Mario Baillargeon put Charlie Is a Joker in play from the outset this night, and the pair had no trouble clearing Majestic Kat (Scott Young) before reaching the first turn before controlling early sectionals of :28.3 and :59.1. On the second circuit, the 10-year-old Angus Hall gelding faced steady but mild first-over pressure from Seeyou Men (Robert Shepherd), but did well to hold his ground after being pushed to a :29 third quarter. Not only did Charlie Is A Joker dispatch the threat of Seeyou Men, but he maintained 1-3/4 lengths of clearance in the stretch from runner-up Majestic Kat — who re-emerged up the pegs from his pocket ride — and So Not Cool (Colin Kelly), who circled three-wide around the stalled Seeyou Men off the home turn to just miss second.

Charlie Is A Joker, who prevailed in 1:58 over fast going, earned the 44th win of his career. Ben Baillargeon trains the Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin homebred.

In the sub-featured Preferred 3 Trot, carrying a purse of $8,500, Its Huw You Know ($3.30) made every pole a winning one en route to a 1:58.3 score — the 16th of his career — over Waikiki Hanover (Scott Coulter). Driver Ed Hensley and trainer Ashleigh Hensley share ownership of the six-year-old Holiday Road gelding.

To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.