A quartet of Prospect Series divisions, each worth $8,000, for sophomore pacing colts and geldings went to the gate on Monday (July 15) evening at Grand River Raceway with a range of upset tallies scoring in their respective classes.
Vogue Blue Chip posted the heftiest of the upsets with a 24-1 score in the first division, returning a $50.10 ticket to win.
Jason Ryan took the Rod Boyd student back to sixth through the opening quarter in :26.2, moving to the outside at the half in :55.2, but continuing in sixth. Vogue Blue Chip made up some ground through the three-quarters in 1:25.1 and found himself even with the pacesetting Jmr Speak Away (Colin Kelly). The pair dueled to the wire and with the swifter final quarter, Vogue Blue Chip edged out enough to win by a neck in 1:54. Second choice Jmr Speak Away had to settle for second while favoured Honolulu Vacation (Michael Whelan) finished third.
Vogue Blue Chip (Bettors Delight - Gallie On Thebeach) is owned by Richard McNeill and John Osinga for his second win of the season and second career victory.
In the second division, Max Patrick (Samuel Fillion) returned $5.70 to win as the 2-1 second choice, pacing 1:54.1 to win by a half length over favoured Onyx Bovino (J Harris). Brett Lester trains the sophomore Sportswriter - Greenwich Girl gelding for Ronald Nobes, Mickey Sudar, and Charles Gazzola.
Off at 5-1 odds, Tricky Mcwicky (Brett MacDonald) doled out a $11.10 ticket to win in his 1:53.3 mile. The McWicked - Hat Trick Honey gelding raced in the second tier for the majority of the mile and still prevailed by a head to win for trainer David Frey. Breeders Stuart and Patricia Bolender co-own the winner.
Finally, Mappo Oriley was driven to a 2-3/4 length score in 1:53 by trainer Paul Macdonell, winning as the 3-1 third choice. Breeder Hailee Currie owns the sophomore Sunshine Beach - Mappos Moenhay gelding. He returned $7.80 to win.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)