Whistys Paradise ($8.50) journeyed first over to win the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Handicap Pace on Saturday night's (July 16) card of harness racing at Georgian Downs.
Favourite Palm Patrol crossed to command from post seven and carved out panels of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25 while 3-1 second choice Whistys Paradise advanced first over from fifth. Whistys Paradise reeled in the race leader turning for home and prevailed by one length over the tracking Moremunkybusiness in 1:53.3. Palm Patrol finished over three lengths back in third.
Driven by Jason Ryan, the six-year-old Western Paradise mare is now two-for-two in the Preferred ranks racing from the Scott Friend stable for owner Gordon Hart, who claimed her for $12,500 on May 27 at Mohawk Racetrack. Whistys Paradise also won a Preferred 3 on July 6 at Grand River Raceway for her current connections.
The popular mare has been claimed six times this year for a total value of $71,250. Saturday's win was her 10th victory from 23 starts in 2016 and pushed her annual income to nearly $60,000.
In other action, Coca Jo ($10.50) earned her second Alliance Claiming Series title as she won the $13,700 summer final for trotters that are non-winners of $30,000 (fillies and mares $37,500) as a June 1 racing with a $12,000 claiming tag. The four-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare lowered her lifetime mark to 1:59.1 with Scott Young driving for trainer and owner Duncan Brewer. Coca Jo advanced first over from mid-pack to overtake the front-striding Next Kash, who finished third as 2-1 favourite Zorgwijk Orchid came on for second.
Muscle Matters ($4.40) won his Racing Under Saddle Ontario debut in a $5,000 event on Saturday's 10-race card. Sarah Town guided the five-year-old Muscle Mass gelding to a 2:01.1 triumph for trainer Ben Baillargeon and co-owners Nunzio Vena, Santo Vena, and Richard Thompson. The former Ontario Sires Stakes champion boasts career earnings approaching $500,000. Trotting mare Southwind Alice, who was riding a three-race under saddle win streak, and Massive Muscles finished over two lengths behind in second and third.
Georgian officials have informed Trot Insider a great time was had by all on Saturday at the Innisfil, Ont. oval, as it hosted Georgian Downs Family night.
The officials have stated that the new pitching cage was a great success, and that donations to Habitant for Humanity exceeded $1,000 from donations for ice cream and pop corn.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.