'Racy Gal' Scores First GRR Win

After finishing second in her first two starts at Grand River Raceway in early June, Racy Gal Hanover stepped it up a few notches on Wednesday night to get the job done in a big way, matching the track record for aged pacing mares

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With regular reinsman Mario Baillargeon reuniting with the four-year-old Modern Art mare, Racy Gal Hanover advanced to the lead from fourth past the half-mile mark and kicked home in :28.4 to win the $9,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 Pace by five and three-quarter lengths in 1:53.2. The time of the mile tied the track record for aged pacing mares, which was set by Lady Latte on Industry Day 2010 and matched by Exquisite Alberta two weeks ago. Longshot Sammy Syd (Mike Whelan) rallied from the backfield to place while early leader Jinglejanglejingle (J.R. Plante), the odds-on favourite, finished third.

Racy Gal Hanover paid $5.70 to win as the 9-5 second choice in the six-horse affair. The Ben Baillargeon trainee has won a quarter of her 20 seasonal starts while banking over $68,000 for owners Santo Vena of Brampton and Nunzio Vena of Bolton, Ont. Her 10th lifetime score lifted her earnings to $183,527.

The Baillargeon brothers were back in the winner's circle with Flashback in Race 10, and the win nudged Mario to one score shy of 7,000 career driving victories. His next opportunity to join the select 7,000 club comes with four drives at Mohawk Racetrack on June 23.

For results from Wednesday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.

(With files from Grand River Raceway)