On Monday, August 4 during Grand River Raceway’s Industry Day program, Racing Under Saddle Ontario kept busy by hosting riders from Finland, Belgium and America for the one-dash ‘International Trot.'
The International Trot was carded as Race 3 on Grand River’s program. Due to travel delays, the race was down a rider – American Jennifer Conners. However, a field of seven lined up behind the starting car after a short rain delay.
After having fired off the gate from the outside wing, rider Marit Valstad, who was representing Norway, was looking to wire the field from the first to last turn. But the European riders had something else in mind. Both Belgian rider Philippe Masschaele and Finnish rider Saara Jalasti pressured from two and three-wide the whole mile. Finally wearing Radical Dreamer down in the backstretch, Belgian and Finland would fight to the line.
Tragically Shipp, trained by Lee Watson and ridden by Saara Jalasti, prevailed over heavy betting favourite Angies Lucky Star and Philippe Massachaele in 2:02.4.
The race provided an exciting glimpse into the world of Monte racing. Both Jalasti and Massachaele race daily in the highly competitive under saddle circuit in France.
With the International Trot all wrapped up, it also wraps up one of the most exciting 10 days in RUS Ontario’s short history.
To view the harness racing results for Monday at Grand River, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.
(With files from RUS Ontario)