Part Shark and Berosus took home top honours in Monday evening’s main events at Grand River Raceway, and each of the campaigners used front-stepping tactics
to get the job done.
Not even Post 8 could stand between Part Shark and the winner’s circle, as the five-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark powered to the lead and ripped through fractions f :28.2, :58 and 1:25.4 in the $10,000 Preferred-2 Pace before scooting home in :28.4 to post the 2-1/4 lengths decision over Livefreeordiehard in 1:54.3. Third prize was earned by Three Cents.
Scott Coulter mapped out the winning trip for the Wayne Preszcator pupil, who is owned by the Secret Weapon Stables of Waterloo, ON. It was the first win of the season for the career winner of $258,885.
Berosus, who was claimed three times in the month of April, marched to the top and didn’t look back in the $10,000 Preferred-2 Trot. Fresh off a 1:57.1 tally one week earlier in his debut for trainer Dean Nixon, the seven-year-old son of Angus Hall and driver Rob Sparling, Jr. led through splits of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:27.4 before using a :29.4 final frame to win by a half-length margin over Long Ago in 1:57.3. Indiana Hall took home the show dough.
Leo Racicot of Harrow, ON claimed the gelding for $25,000 on April 22, and he’s now 2-for-2 since the acquisition. Sent off as the 9-5 favourite, Berosus improved his 2011 record to 12-2-1 from 16 starts. The 36-time winner, who is the winningest horse in North America this season, has stashed away $66,000 this year and more than $215,000 to date.
Congratulations also go out to reinsman Andrew Carss, who notched his first-ever driving win during the Monday evening program.
The Erin, Ontario horseman rolled Roan Star, an 11-year-old son of King Conch, through panels of :29.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30.1 before stepping home in :30.3 to seal the deal in 2:00.4. Carss, who also trains the veteran, has watched his barn put together a 9-for-29 record this season. He has been training horses since 2006.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.