After a blowout victory in the June 6 edition of the $7,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 class at Grand River Raceway, Russian Kisses returned on three days notice and cruised to another easy triumph in the same class.
Russian Kisses and trainer/driver Robert Shepherd rolled to an easy tally, and that was music to the ears of the handicappers that sent her off as the even-money favourite.
Shepherd got away sixth with the four-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Whig Party, but the mare steadily advanced on the rim in the back half of the contest. She was fifth at the half and second at the three-quarter pole before using a :29-second kicker to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Insincerity in 1:54.3. Twin B Roxy rounded out the Triactor ticket.
The 1:54.3 clocking was a new lifetime mark for the 11-time winner who is owned by Shepherd and partners Joe Travis of Chenango Bridge, New York and Forrest Bartlett of Shiloh, North Carolina. She’s put away in excess of $44,000 in earnings this season, and more than $76,000 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.