Grand River Raceway featured a pair of Preferred events as part of it’s twelve-race program on Monday evening, and both tilts were brought to you by the number eight
.
First up was the eight-year-old Indiana Hall who wired up eight foes to take home weekly bragging rights in the $10,000 Preferred #2 Trot. Trevor Henry rolled the son of Striking Sahbra-Inverlochy through panels of :28.1, :59 and 1:28 before using a :29.4 final quarter to seal the deal by a length over Perfect Vacation in 1:57.4. Just One Day, who also came up a length short, was third.
Ian Downey trains the gelding, who was sent off at odds of 4-1, for S S G Stables of North Boston, NY. The victory improved his 2011 record to 6-3-3 from 17 trips to the track, and it helped this year’s bankroll climb to $56,526. The 36-time winner has banked $642,902 to date.
Just two races later the eight-year-old veteran Acceptable Risk did a front-end number on eight rivals in the $9,500 Preferred #3 Pace. The son of Intrepid Seelster-Southernbound Lady ripped through splits of :26.4, :57.1 and 1:26 before storming home in :27.4 to win by a quarter of a length over race favourite Did It Again in 1:53.4. Donegal Gerald was third.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, Acceptable Risk won for the third time this season from 19 opportunities. The 40-time winner, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer David Morrissey, has stashed away in excess of $620,138 for Morrissey who co-owns the stalwart with Dan McCann and William Woodburn of Parkhill, ON
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.