Windsong Leo and Bank Shot Hanover came away victorious in their respective assignments Monday evening at Grand River Raceway, and both pacers used ‘catch me if you can’ tactics.
It was a gate-to-wire triumph in the first of two $7,500 Preferred 3 events for horse and geldings pacers as Windsong Leo went the distance for trainer/driver Dan O’Brian.
The five-year-old son of Jeremes Jet-Windsong Goldie knifed his way through fractions of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:25.3 before using a :28.3 closing panel to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Canadian Edition in 1:54.1. Rounding out the Trifecta ticket was Beach Terror.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Windsong Leo nabbed his first win of the year for owner Everette Hanson of Maugerville, NB. The 11-time winner has stashed away more than $113,000 in his career.
Bank Shot Hanover used an identical approach to winning his $7,500 division of the Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers.
Alfie Carroll rushed to the lead with the Victor Puddy pupil, and the pair never looked back after zipping through fractions of :27.2, :57 and 1:26.2. A :29-second kicker is all it took for him to win by 1-1/2 lengths over race favourite Lets Wait And See in 1:55.2. ER Quinn rallied late to grab the show dough.
Sent off as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering, the four-year-old son of The Panderosa-Braggin Yankee won for the fourth time this season and for the ninth time in his career. The lion’s share of the loot bumped his bankroll to $138,739.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.