Baden Baden played spoiler in the $12,000 Preferred Trot on Monday (June 8) at Grand River Raceway, delivering at 76-1 when she and driver J Harris crossed the line first. Meanwhile, the $12,000 Preferred Pace proved more formful when Blue Bar and Jason Ryan scored as the 2-1 second choice.
Baden Baden (pictured above) left from post seven in the feature field of nine, leaving for position before settling fourth in line while Jokic (Paul Mackenzie) ran point and led the field to the quarter in :27.3. Big prices dictated the terms, with the 20-1 Jokic leading 90-1 Nzuri (Jason Ryan) to the halfway point of the mile in :57.3. Baden Baden took his shot just after the half, with Harris feeding the longshot racetrack and storming first-over to grab a narrow lead at three-quarters in 1:27.2.
Jokic began to tire around the final turn, allowing Baden Baden to build an open length advantage at the top of the lane as My Buddy Sam (Brady Galliers) recovered from an early miscue to storm four-deep and advanced towards second. My Buddy Sam closed with a rush, but could not reach Baden Baden who crossed the line 1-3/4 lengths clear in 1:56.4. Nzuri rallied along the cones to be third, 2-1/4 lengths back of the winner.
Duncan Brewer trains Baden Baden, who has won two of seven on the season and seven times for her career while banking $146,269. Brewer, of Waterdown, Ont., also co-owns the four-year-old daughter of Green Manalishi S-Cape Coral with Randell Urquhart of Hamilton, Ont., and Steve Deady of Paris, Ont. Baden Baden paid $154.60 to win for her sparse backers at the window.
Just a few races later in the feature pace, Blue Bar and driver Jason Ryan sat just off a revved-up leader throughout before delivering the knockout blow in the lane.
Off the wings, Catfish Jack (David Kelly) exploded to the lead, racing multiple lengths clear of the field and allowing Blue Bar to tuck into the loose pocket from post seven through a :26.2 opening clip. Catfish Jack grabbed a breather to the half in :55.5 before widening his margin to three lengths once more at three-quarters in 1:23.4 while Blue Bar continued to give chase.
Blue Bar closed the gap on the final turn, tipping off the cones and moving alongside the leader at the head of the lane. Catfish Jack remained game to the inside while Cheddar Bay (J Harris) tipped from third to make it a three-across battle. From between rivals, Blue Bar was able to get the wire first in 1:52.1 and three parts of a length in front of both Cheddar Bay and Catfish Jack who were second and third respectively.
Jodie Cullen trains Blue Bar, a winner of four of 19 this season and a career earner of $219,508. Travis Cullen of Dundas, Ont., owns the four-year-old All Bets Off-Feelin Flush gelding. Blue Bar paid $6 to win.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)