Despite racking up a win and a pair of second-place finishes in his last three assignments in the Preferred ranks at Hiawatha Horse Park, Just Crowned got very little respect from the betting public at Grand River Raceway on Monday evening as he took on Preferred foes at that oval.
It turned out to be a costly snub by most handicappers, who watched the gelding slip through their fingers at 13-1 when he crossed the line first in a time of 1:53.4 for driver Alex Lilley.
Just Crowned got away sixth in the seven-horse affair, but Lilley had plenty of pace to chase thanks to Hyperion Hanover and Acceptable Risk. They battled tooth and nail to the quarter in :26.2 before Acceptable Risk decided to take a seat. Hyperion Hanover blazed a path to the half in :56 while feeling first-over pressure from Wild Dragon. Wild Dragon eventually took over the lead, but he was pestered to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2 by Dreamfair Kovu. Just Crowned, who got underway at the half, gradually dialed in the leaders before using a :28.4 closing quarter to post the nose decision over Wild Dragon. Dreamfair Kovu rounded out the Triactor ticket in the $11,000 affair.
Tony Piroski of Essex, ON owns and trains the five-year-old son of Artsplace-Princess Justice, who won for the fourth time this season in 23 tries. The 15-time has now earned in excess of $121,000 in his career.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.