After winning her elimination one week ago at Clinton Raceway, Marina Desbi made it a clean sweep of the Alliance Spring Series thanks to her 2:00.1 triumph in Monday’s $11,500 final at Grand River Raceway.
Sent off as the 3-2 favourite, Marina Desbi got away in the middle of the pack in the early stages while Rose Petal fired to the top and sliced out an opening quarter in :29. She was then overtaken by Eastern Shore, who then battled with the first-over Gorgiouseverytyme to the half in :59.1.
Marina Desbi tracked that foe’s cover going to the half and as the field marched into the backstretch. Eastern Shore battled back to be the leader at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.2, but she lacked staying power and quickly back-pedaled through the field. Marina Desbi made a big move going to the three-quarter pole before using a :30.3 closing quarter to win by three-quarters of a length over Anamazingdream Esa. Peekaboo Toni was third.
Lorne House guided the six-year-old daughter of Shanghai Phil-Diana Desbi to the win for trainer/co-owner Mary Paulic and partner Russ Ellis. It was the second win of the season for the 11-time winner who now boasts a career bankroll of $33,529.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.