Max Money held off the late on-rushers to earn his first Grand River Raceway victory in Wednesday's featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at the Elora. Ont. half-mile oval.
Leaving from post four, driver Jonathan Drury sent the 5-2 second choice after early leader Victom As (Anthony MacDonald) and cleared just past the :28.3 quarter pole. Once in control, Max Money proceeded to the half in :58.1 with favourite and eventual third place finisher Jersey As (Billy Davis Jr.) advancing on the outside from sixth and moving up to apply pressure as they neared three-quarters in 1:26.3. However, Max Money persisted in 1:57, holding off that foe and Lexis D J (Ross Battin), who rallied off cover to finish a half-length behind.
Max Money paid $7.60 to win for the third consecutive time. The four-year-old Amigo Hall gelding, a winner of seven races lifetime, is trained by Corey Johnson and is owned by Colin Johnson of Le Gardeur, Que., Fred Brayford of Alliston, Ont., Gilles Caouette of Garson, Ont., and Michael Sergi of Canton, New York.
Driven by Billy Davis Jr., Blake McIntosh trainee Boomersbestbet was a wire-to-wire winner the $10,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 Handicap Pace in 1:55.2 by two lengths over Michelles Idea (Anthony MacDonald) and favourite Sand Gesture (Jason Brewer). She paid $35.80 for the upset win. The seven-year-old Cammibest mare, who notched her second consecutive victory and 20th lifetime, is owned by breeders Luca and Maryann Bucci of Hamilton, Ont. and Cliff and Michael Burge of Acton, Ont.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.