Valuable Miss won a $5,800 conditioned optional claiming race at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Aug. 25, and in the process, lowered the track record for aged trotting mares with her 1:55.2 mile time.

The previous track record of 1:55.3 was held by Tijuana Seelster.

Austin Sorrie piloted the Kyle Bossence student from post five in the field of eight. Out of the gate, Valuable Miss got away third as favoured Insanity (Jason Ryan) set the tempo with a :27 opening quarter. As Insanity continued on the engine, Valuable Miss pulled first over on the attack en route to the :56.3 half. The pair of trotters continued their duel through the three-quarters in 1:25.2. With a sprint towards the finish, Valuable Miss scored by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.2. Insanity had to settle for second with Yes (J Harris) third.

Valuable Miss is a four-year-old daughter of My MVP-His Mistress owned by trainer Kyle Bossence, William Pendleton and Trevor Henry Stables Inc. She earned her first win of the year in 23 starts and her sixth career victory. In 55 starts, she has banked $278,397. Valuable Miss paid $7.10 to win.

A trio of $9,000 Pop-Up Series pacing divisions went to the gate on Monday at Grand River with Howyouplay The Game, Larjon Levi and State Of Play winning their respective divisions.

Howyouplay Thegame was first on deck and set the track ablaze in a 1:52.4 triumph by 6-1/2 lengths to kick things off in the Pop-Up Series for horses and geldings that have started for a purse of $6,000 or less in their last start.

Jason Ryan and the Jodie Cullen student got away fourth from post two as Azucar Jack (Scott Coulter) took the field of seven to the opening panel in :26.3. Big Sir (Austin Sorrie) pulled first-over en route to the :55.2 half and Howyouplay Thegame followed his cover. Howyouplay Thegame secured the lead before the three-quarters in 1:23.4 and he never looked back, turning on the afterburners to open up by five. Without letting up, the Sportswriter-Show Some Machsie gelding opened up even more to score.

Howyouplay Thegame is owned by breeder David Snowden and recorded his fourth win of the year and 14th career victory. In 90 starts, he has banked $102,786. He paid $3.50 to win.

Larjon Levi ($4.60) took the second division with a one-length triumph in 1:55.1. Lorne House piloted the Patrick Bissett student for Larry Lane.

The third division went to State Of Play ($8.60), who won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.2 in hand to Daryl Thiessen for trainer Lindsey Kerr, also co-owner with Rebecca Masters.

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

(Standardbred Canada)