The Monday, June 29 card at Grand River Raceway kicked off with fireworks, with the Jared Mann-trained Annies Diva breaking through for the first time this season in style, matching the track record for three-year-old pacing fillies on the five-eighths-mile oval with a 1:52 blitzing with driver Austin Sorrie.

In a $9,500 event for fillies and mares who were non-winners of two of $30,000 lifetime, Annies Diva was away from post three at 6-1 in the field of nine. 

Revved up from the outset, Annies Diva released Jayport Diamond (Michael Horner) to the lead on the first turn, before quickly moving out and towards the lead as the duo sprinted by the quarter in :26.1. Annies Diva cleared as the pacers hit the lane for the first time, grabbing a second-quarter breather down to the half in :56.1. The 8-5 favourite, Dottie Hinson (Guy Gagnon), pulled first-over from third, racing to the leader’s wheel as the pace quickened once more on the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Dottie Hinson got no closer than to the Sorrie wheel on the final turn before Annies Diva shrugged off the challenge and opened up on the field at the head of the lane. Running up the score in the lane, Annies Diva crossed the wire 3-3/4 lengths clear in the track record-equalling performance. Oceanside Magic (Samuel Fillion) rallied for second, with Dottie Hinson holding for third.

The effort was a career best for Annies Diva, who has won four of 17 lifetime starts. Susanne Mac Keigan of Albert Bridge, N.S. owns the daughter of Cattlewash-Triple Charm, who has banked $35,015 lifetime. Annies Diva paid $16.80 to win.

The 1:52 clocking matched the track record originally established by Razzin Jazz on June 17, 2024.

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

(Standardbred Canada)