After finishing up the 2010 season with four consecutive off-the-board finishes, Gran Sasso has done an about face in the first five starts of his 2011 campaign
. The eight-year-old son of The Panderosa has finished no worse than second this season, and that includes a narrow victory in Tuesday’s $10,000 final of the Knockout Pacing Series at Kawartha Downs.
Gran Sasso, in rein to Fred Brethour, settled into third as the field tracked Midnight Baran through a :28-second opening quarter. Brethour had Gran Sasso on the move first-over moving in front of the grandstand, and he cleared to the top without a tussle and proceeded to wheel by the mid-way point in :58.2.
Raging River rolled up quickly on the rim to take on Gran Sasso, with just a quarter of length separating them at the three-quarter pole in 1:28. Gran Sasso widened his margin by the time he reached the head of the lane, and he used a :29.3 final frame to win by a quarter of a length over a resurgent Raging River in 1:57.3. Midnight Baran tagged along to finish third.
Robbie McNeill of Caesarea, ON owns and trains the veteran pacer who won for the 21st time in his career. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his career cash stash to $234,664.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, please click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs