Falcor Bluestone persevered from the pocket with broken equipment in Friday's featured $7,000 Preferred 3 Trot at Grand River Raceway.
Driven by Scott Coulter, the Corey Johnson-trained Falcor Bluestone was victorious in 1:59.1 despite a piece of equipment dangling in front of his chest.
Heres The Magic (Nick Steward) cut fractions of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:28.2 before fading out of the money. Blazing Shot (J Harris) overtook the tempo-setter around the last turn with Falcor Bluestone emerging between that rival and the wide-rallying Thunderaway (Bruce Richardson). Falcor Bluestone prevailed in a final sprint to the wire by a quarter-length over Osprey Vision (Dave Boughton), who ducked to the inside lane, while Blazing Shot finished two lengths behind in third.
Falcor Bluestone was the 9-5 favourite and paid $5.30 to win.
Owned by Annalisa Klunowski, the five-year-old Cantab Hall gelding earned his third win this year and 13th lifetime.
Coulter had a driving triple on the Friday night card.
The $2,700 second leg of the Canada vs. Norway Trotting Under Saddle Challenge was won by Callie Magoo and Norwegian rider Guro Berg in 2:04.3 with King Trut and Sarah Town finishing over four lengths behind in second. John Braid owns and trains the winning trotter, who returned $10.60 to his backers at the betting windows. Charlie Tuna and Brittany Kennedy finished third.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.