With trainer Justin Turcotte in the sulky, Veracruz had the lead at every call as he captured the $15,000 Preferred Trot, which served as feature on the 10-race Grand River Raceway card on Monday, July 20.

Away from post five as the 7-5 second choice, Veracruz sprinted around R Royal Port (Austin Sorrie) to grab control of the field of seven through an opening panel of :27.4. Veracruz was able to tap the brakes on the front stretch, reaching the half in :58.2 when The Fixer (Brett MacDonald) went first-over from fourth. The Fixer continued his charge onto the backstretch, matching strides with Veracruz as the duo reached three-quarters in 1:26.4.

The battle raged into the final turn where Veracruz utilized his inside advantage and turned for home just over a length clear. The Fixer would make one final move in the stretch while R Royal Port took aim at the passing lane, with neither able to reach Veracruz in the stretch. Veracruz won the three-across battle by a head over The Fixer in 1:55.3, with R Royal Port third, just three parts of a length back of the winner.

Veracruz has won three straight at Grand River and three of 15 races on the season. The five-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick-Valdonna is now a 14-time career winner, sporting career earnings of $172,127 for owner Gestion J Y Blais Inc. of Montreal, Que.

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

(Standardbred Canada)