Little Red Chev and Spartan Victory shared the spotlight at Grand River Raceway on Friday (June 16) winning pair of $7,500 Preferred 3 Trots during the evening's harness racing card.
The chestnut trotting mare Little Red Chev prevailed off a pocket trip in the first division for driver Scott Coulter and trainer/owner Dennis Morrissey.
Little Red Chev tracked Federal Army (Bruce Richardson) through fractions of :28.4, :59 and 1:28.1 before sweeping by in the stretch for the one and a half-length victory in 1:58.3. Happy Holidays (Anthony MacDonald) followed in third and was placed second ahead of Federal Army after he broke stride in the stretch and was lapped on.
Little Red Chev paid $7.20 to win as the 5-2 second choice to favourite Raising Richard (Travis Henry), who went off stride at the start of the race. She earned her fourth win of the year from 17 starts and 26th victory overall pushing her bankroll past the $200,000 mark.
Morrissey shares ownership of the seven-year-old Duke Of York daughter with Ken Avery of London, Ont., and Dr. David James Peden of Ingersoll, Ont.
Ten-year-old gelding Spartan Victory got off to a strong start in the co-feature and never looked back to match his 1:56.3 lifetime mark with Ryan Holliday holding the reins for trainer/owner Brad Pittock.
Spartan Victory fired out to a quick three-length lead through a :27.4 opening quarter with 8-5 favourite I Want Kandy (Nick Steward) moving up on his back on the way to the half in :57.4. Oaklea Wyatt (Daniel Potvin) went three-wide down the backstretch before his cover faded to take over second-place and dropped in behind the leader on the way to three-quarters in 1:27.2 then followed him home one length behind. Amoureuse Hanover (Robert Shepherd) came on for third.
Sent postward at odds of 6-1, Spartan Victory paid $14.90 to win.
The Hard Rock N Roll gelding, who has won three of 17 seasonal starts, now boasts 41 career victories and earnings topping $290,000.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.