Brodys Scrapper was a witness to a wild, front-end battle in Monday’s $11,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap at Grand River Raceway, and as a result he was able to pick up the pieces in the late stages of the contest.
In rein to Travis Cullen, Brodys Scrapper got away fourth while Champagne Phil and Sportsline battled through ferocious fractions of :26.1 and :54.2. Sportsline held up the white flag in the backstretch, and as a result a number of challengers circled wide to get around him. Champagne Phil was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.4, but fatigue quickly set in.
Brodys Scrapper made a three-wide move going to the three-quarter pole, and he used a :29.1 final frame to win the featured affair by a pair of lengths over Capitano Italiano in 1:53.1. Champagne Phil took home the show dough.
Sent off as the 3-2 favourite, Brodys Scrapper picked up his second win of the season for trainer Rachel Andrew who shares ownership on the gelding with Cullen. The 37-time winner is closing in on $300,000 in career earnings.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.