The trip was tough for Spartan Victory in Monday’s $7,500 Preferred Trot at Grand River Raceway, but in the end it was all worth the effort.

The nine-year-old son of Hard Rock N Roll-Kandys Kelsey survived the challenging journey en route to posting a win in going away fashion for driver Ryan Holliday and trainer Kris Di Cenzo.

Spartan Victory got away in mid-pack after starting in the second tier, and Holliday had his charge first-over on the way to the half. The gelding kept chipping away in the backstretch, and by the time they field was at the three-quarter pole Spartan Victory was sitting third on the outside. He kicked it into overdrive late and his :28.3 closing panel helped propel him to the win by 1-1/4 lengths over race favourite Thundering Ovation, who was responsible for early fractions of :28.2, 1:00.4 and 1:31.4. Sonny With Achance was third.

Brad Pittock of London, Ont. owns the 34-time winner who improved this year’s record to 2-1-2 from seven trips postward. He’s closing in on $250,000 in career earnings.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.