A pair of Preferred events were contested on Monday evening at Grand River Raceway, and in both instances speed held up and the public’s top choice prevailed
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Famous Mark did the winning in the $10,000 Preferred #2 Trot for the team of driver Jim McClure and trainer Ben Baillargeon. The eight-year-old son of Famously whacked out splits of :28, :57.3 and 1:27.4 before kicking home in :29.2 to win in 1:57.1. It was 1-1/4 lengths further back to runner-up Indiana Hall, with Smokin Dabra grabbing the show dough in the six-horse affair.
Marcel Guy Ouimet of Laval, QC holds the ownership papers on the classy gelding who won for the fifth time this season and for the 41st time in his career. He has stashed away more than $411,000 along the way.
Pontiac Luck extended his winning streak to four-in-a-row thanks to his gate-to-wire decision in the $10,000 Preferred #2 Pace. Robert Shepherd rolled the five-year-old son of Northern Luck through intervals of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:24.3 en route to the three-length decision over Blissfull Breeze in 1:52.4. Livefreeordiehard wound up taking home third prize.
Sent off as the 2-1 favourite, Pontiac Luck improved his 2011 record to 7-1-1 in 22 starts for trainer Jim Wellwood, who co-owns the 20-time winner with partner Bruno Didiomede of Hamilton, ON. The pacer has stashed away more than $110,000 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.