Co-favourite Smokin Dabra wore down the pacesetting Indiana Hall to prevail in the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Trot at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday.
With Mario Baillargeon catch-driving, Smokin Dabra ($5.70) swept up alongside Indiana Hall and Trevor Henry at the half and applied heavy pressure down the backstretch before poking a head in front and drawing clear to score in 1:58 flat by a length and a half. Indiana Hall held on for second over the pocket-pulling Chewey and Robert Shepherd.
Trained by Noreen Paulin for owner-breeder John Bosworth of Newmarket, Ont., the six-year-old son of Kadabra earned his third win in 11 seasonal starts and 18th lifetime while pushing his career bankroll to $182,472.
Fresh off a pair of Preferred wins at Hoosier Park and Western Fair Raceway, Sissy Bar ($10) shipped to the Elora, Ont. half-mile oval on Wednesday for her third consecutive victory.
Ashley Nostadt trains the six-year-old Aces N Sevens mare, who survived a first over journey in rein to J.R. Plante and held off the Michael Whelan-driven Sammy Syd to win the $10,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 Pace by a neck in 1:56.1. Racy Gal Hanover and Baillargeon finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in third.
The win was Sissy Bar's sixth this year in 16 starts and lifted her seasonal bankroll to $37,500 for owner Tyler Nostadt of Maidstone, Ont. Having won her only other start at Grand River almost two years ago to the day on June 16, 2010, she is now a perfect two-for-two at the track.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.