Cranberry Brie ($4.50) proved a powerful winner in her return to Grand River Raceway in Wednesday evening's (Aug. 18) feature, a $12,000 event for Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies.

After making no impression in three tries at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the daughter of Betterthancheddar parried two separate challenges before sprinting away to a 1:54 victory, her fastest to date.

Travis Henry gunned Cranberry Brie to the fore from post 2, and the pair accelerated to seat Redhot N Sporty (Colin Kelly) in the pocket through a brisk :27.1 first quarter. Almost immediately thereafter, Aumydarlin (Robert Shepherd) began her first-over ascent out of third, forcing Cranberry Brie to a :56.4 half mile — but unable to sustain her impression.

The second circuit belonged entirely to Cranberry Brie, who sloughed off her first-over foe before widening her lead to 4-3/4 lengths at the winning post. Sunshineinmypocket (Scott Coulter) circled stalled cover to take second, while Mostly Dali (J Harris) rallied belatedly for third.

Wayne Dunn conditions 10-time winner Cranberry Brie for Stephen Upson.

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