Despite being subjected to sustained pressure from Sicario through the entire second circuit of Wednesday's (July 14) featured $11,500 Preferred 2-3 Handicap Trot at Grand River Raceway, Willyorwonthe ($4.10) proved a determined winner — digging deep to preserve the slimmest of victories.

The eight-year-old Angus Hall gelding cleared for the lead from post 4, overtaking Tymal Houdini midway on the first turn and controlling the terms through a :28.2 first quarter. As driver Colin Kelly slowed the tempo nearing a :58.3 half, Sicario, driven by Austin Sorrie, began his first-over ascent from fourth. The two duelled through a :28 third sectional before Sicario stuck his nose in front briefly on the final turn.

Undeterred, Willyorwonthe repelled his outside challenger in a stretch-long duel, reaching by a nose in a seasonal best 1:56.1. Tymal Houdini finished third, beaten a length, after stalking from the pocket throughout.

Kyle Bossence trains 44-time winner Willyorwonthe for Phil Maguire.

The sub-featured Fillies and Mares Preferred 3, which was contested for an $8,500 purse, saw Smoke N Reactor ($8.30) record a pillar-to-post, 1:54.2 victory — also a seasonal mark — in line to owner-trainer J.R. Plante. The seven-year-old AUckland Reactor N mare turned aside a first-over challenge from Emblynette on the backstretch before evading pocket rival Casimir Swamp Girl by a length to score the 10th win of her career and her fifth so far this season.

Complete results for Wednesday's 10-race card can be found via this link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.