Despite sitting eighth at the bell and 11 lengths in arrears, Edward and Jessica Hayter's Cool Muscle ($6.00) proved best of all at the end of Wednesday's (July 21) Preferred 2-3 Handicap Trot at Grand River Raceway after circling four-wide off the home turn and lifting to the fore in mid-stretch.
Cool Muscle eased toward the back of the main body of the field in the initial stages as 9-5 favourite Refi and Nick Steward controlled early splits of :28 and :59. Nearing the completion of the first lap, Scott Coulter angled the seven-year-old Muscle Mass gelding into a live fourth-over flow from his rearward spot. Refi broke stride on the lead with three-eighths to go, enabling 22-1 Pollar Hall to inherit the lead and prompting the first-over Katch Kanna to switch into attack mode nearing three-quarters in 1:28.2. But as soon as Katch Kanna pushed the pace, Los Ballykeelamigo pushed three-wide from third over — towing Cool Muscle with him. Los Ballykeelamigo worked to the lead off the home turn, and Cool Muscle switched off his back to edge clear by 1-1/4 lengths, reaching the winning post in 1:58. Los Balleykeelamigo preserved second; Pollar Hall finished third.
Jessica Hayter trains 15-time winner Cool Muscle.
William Pendleton's Casimir Swamp Girl ($2.80) made every pole a winning one in the sub-featured Preferred 3 Pace for fillies and mares, rating a :57.1 first half mile before rebuffing a first-over push from Custard Lite and subsequently keeping pocket rival Charmbo Brie a half length at bay in 1:55.3. Colin Kelly drove the five-year-old Up The Credit mare, now a 22-time winner, for trainer Kyle Bossence.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.