Top Royal pulled off a 20-1 upset defeating favourite Sr Beach Babe in Wednesday evening's featured $7,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 Pace at Grand River Raceway.
With the inside post advantage, 4-5 favourite Sr Beach Babe and driver Colin Kelly assumed command and led the field of nine through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:25.3. Meanwhile, Top Royal and J Harris applied first-over pressure throughout and took a slight lead turning for home before pulling clear at the wire for the one-length victory in 1:55 flat. Sr Beach Babe settled for the runner-up role for the fourth time in her last five starts at Grand River. A Plus finished four lengths behind in third in rein to Scott Young.
Top Royal returned $42.10 to her backers at the betting windows as the second-longest shot on the board.
Nick Boyd currently trains the four-year-old Royal Mattjesty mare for owner Brydown Farms Inc. of Clinton, Ont.
Top Royal has won three races and $28,425 from 16 starts this year. Lifetime, she has won 11 of her 55 races and $111,342 in purse earnings.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.