A total of 18 fillies competed in three $10,000 divisions of the Saugeen Claiming Series Wednesday at Hanover Raceway
for non-winners of $75,000 by May 1 2009.
In the first division, Putnamsensational (Trevor Henry) jumped out to the early lead and controlled the pace with fractions of :28, :59.2, and 1:28.2, but couldn't quite hold on as Jet Motion, driven by Doug McNair for trainer Mike Bishop, won the race by a head in 1:57.4.
Putnamsensational was second while Hope Tobea Star (Alvin Hamilton), who was claimed for $10,000 plus allowances, finished third.
In the second split, six-year-old Reunion Girl jumped out to a quick early lead hitting the quarter in :28.1. Twin B Godiva (Trevor Henry) got away second, but couldn't get any closer as Reunion Girl wired the field. Robert Fenech drives and trains the daughter of D M Dillinger, who completed the mile with fractions of :58.3,
1:27.4, and the mile in 1:57.2.
Silver Destiny (Scott Zeron) was second while Twin B Godiva finished was third.
In the final division, there were four claims on heavy favourite Grace And Harv, owned by Ray Nicolas and trainer Don Graham, and the horsemen knew something
because the five-year-old daughter of Dexter Nukes went gate to wire in the fastest of the three eliminations in 1:56.4 winning by seven lengths.
Bossladymaamsir (Trevor Henry) was second and My Destiny (Stuart Sowerby) was third.
Scott Zeron's wire-to-wire win included fractions of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:27.4.
After the race, Susan Nicolas said she started in the claiming game two and a half years ago and Grace And Harv was the 13th claim off them so far. Nicolas said she was a perfectly mannered mare, who always gave it her all.
Nicolas and Graham claimed the five-year-old for $5,000 on June 4 at Hanover,
and since then has earned over $15,000 with her in eight starts. When asked if she tried not to get too attached to the horses in the claiming game, Nicolas said
she tries but with a mare like Grace And Harv, it's tough.
The series continue's on Wednesday, August 12 with the top eight money earners returning on Saturday, August 22 for the $27,500 non-claiming final.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)