Victories by Grogan and Im Classy in a pair of Preferred Trots highlighted the final card of live harness racing for the 2012 season at Woodstock Raceway on Friday night.
Fresh off a 1:58.3 track record performance at Dresden Raceway last Sunday, eight-year-old Grogan matched that winning time on Friday as he toured the Woodstock half-mile track in the first of two $7,000 Preferred 2 Trots. Grogan got away second behind favourite and eventual breaker Twin B Excalibur (Mike Horner). He took control past the half-mile mark and then opened up daylight on his foes. The 5-2 third choice paid $7.20 to win. One A Thief (Greg Dustin) finished nine and a half lengths behind in second and Ken Car Casper (Phillip Belore) was third.
The victory was Grogan's third in 10 starts this year and 30th lifetime. Lorne House trains and drives the Angus Hall son for owners Emerson Gill of Grand Bend, Ont. and Graeme Harvey of Ingersoll, Ont.
Im Classy established the lead from post six in the co-feature and never looked back as he raced to a 1:59.3 two and a quarter length triumph for driver Greg Dustin and trainer Wayne Langille. The nine-year-old Eager Seelster gelding upset Savthelstdancforme (Dennis Duford) and Anahar Chase (Lorne House), paying $17.30 to win as the 7-1 longshot.
Im Classy notched his fourth win in 15 seasonal starts and 27th lifetime, pushing his bankroll to $268,405. He is owned by Beverly Chapple of Ingersoll, Ont.
Driver Nick Steward added two wins to his meet leading win total on Friday's card. Kelly Sheppard topped the trainers standings.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodstock Raceway.