A pair of Preferred events highlighted the Monday evening program at Grand River Raceway, and the winners each recently celebrated a money milestone.
Top Royal who went over $200,000 in earnings last week, turned in a 1:54.3 triumph in the $8,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 for the tandem of driver J Harris and trainer Randy Henry.
The six-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Top Of The World was treated to a two-hole trip behind Ride Away Shark, and she parlayed the trip into a solid score. Ride Away Shark sliced out splits of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26.1 before being overhauled in the lane by Top Royal. A :28.1 closing quarter propelled Top Royal to the win by 1-1/2 lengths over Ride Away Shark, with Significance rallying to finish third.
Henry trains the 24-time winner for Brydown Farms Inc of Clinton, Ont. The victory improved her 2019 record to 5-5-1 from 20 assignments.
Talbotcreekwhiskey, who sent his cash sailing over $100,000 in his latest outing, produced a front-stepping triumph in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers.
Scott Young hustled the Luc Blais trainee to the lead from Post 4, and the four-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Luck Of Michelle rolled the field through fractions of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:26 before sprinting home in :28 to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Bit Of Luck in 1:54. Jake Parrish was third.
Sent off as the 2-5 favourite, Talbotcreekwhiskey won for the second time this year and for the 10th time in his career. He is owned by Determination of Montreal, QC.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.