Coming close to his track record for older pacers, P L Ozzy held on in a photo finish to win the $14,500 Preferred at Grand River Raceway on Friday, July 10.

After tracking in third through first-half fractions that went in :26.1 and :54.4, P L Ozzy, with Brady Galliers catch-driving, battled past popular pacesetter Snack Attack (Ed Hensley) to three-quarters in 1:22.1 then held off Mythic Gambler (Samuel Fillion) as that rival closed off his cover to make it a close call. P L Ozzy won by a head in 1:50.3, just one-fifth of a second off the track record for older pacers that he established last September in his Grand River debut. P L Oliver (Garrett Rooney) finished 1-1/2 lengths behind in third place off a pocket trip.

P L Ozzy, who won two of his three Grand River starts last year, paid $9.40 to win in his successful return as the 7-2 second choice on the tote board.

Amanda Riley trains the eight-year-old Sunshine Beach-Taylorlane Action stallion, who is four-for-10 this season for owners Bryn Campbell of Port Hope, Ont., and Barry McClennan of Cavan, Ont.

A 36-time career winner, P L Ozzy went over $400,000 in earnings.

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

(Standardbred Canada)