Grand River Raceway's 2016 harness racing season began on Wednesday evening (June 1) with Bob McIntosh's three-year-old pacing filly Never Any Doubt scoring a front-end victory in the opener for driver Alfie Carroll.
The homebred Camluck filly, who is co-owned by Dave Boyle, swept from third to first after the opening quarter and turned back first over challenger Evas Best Girl en route to her second career victory in 1:57.1. Sent postward as the 1-5 favourite, Never Any Doubt paid $2.70 to win. Bettys Bay and Double T Grrr finished nearly four lengths behind, rounding out the top three finish order in the $7,000 fillies and mares pace for non-winners of $10,000 lifetime.
Imacutiepatootie ($13.30) and J Harris won the seventh annual Local Biz Night Race. The popular event saw more than 70 people from 12 local businesses matched with a horse in race eight. The Fergus company, Shift: A Family Health Centre, was the winner paired with Imacutiepatootie and received a trophy to display in their workplace, plus and a staff party for 20 at Grand River Raceway.
The three-quarter length victory in 1:57.2 was the homebred four-year-old mare’s fourth career win for trainer Annemarie Colville and co-owners Jennifer Giles and Mike Wade.
Local Biz Night is a joint-effort between the raceway, the OLG Slots at Grand River Raceway and the Centre Wellington Chamber Of Commerce.
Carroll, Harris and Ryan Holliday each had Opening Night driving doubles. Bob McClure, Grand River's reigning driving champion with 46 wins in 2015, scored his first victory of the new meet with Ellie Mayhew's eight-year-old pacing mare Lil Whiskey Gal ($6.50). The Jeffrey Mayhew trainee took over the lead near the third quarter mark and drew away from her competition in the 10th race for $6,000 claiming mares to win by seven lengths in 1:59.2.
Bill McDougall of Elora, Ont. was the winner of the Opening Night Contest and received a $500 voucher towards owning a share of a racehorse with TheStable.ca.
Live harness racing continues at Grand River on Friday, June 3, with post time set for 6:30 p.m.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(With files from Grand River Raceway)