Driver Brett MacDonald went into Monday’s card at Grand River Raceway just one win shy of 1,000 lifetime victories, and he managed to nab that elusive victory in dramatic fashion.
MacDonald got away last in Race 7 with longshot Midnight Surf, but the pacer made a bold, three-wide move in the late stages of the mile and then out-kicked his foes to the line. The mare won by three-quarters of a length over Dry Creek Image in 1:57.4.
It’s taken the Freelton, ON horseman less than seven years to accomplish the feat. He enjoyed a career-best season in 2020 thanks to his 279 wins and purse earnings of close to $1.8 million. To date, he’s driven winners of purses in excess of $6.3 million. The 2021 season figures to be his fourth consecutive season of banking more than $1 million in earnings.
MacDonald celebrated one of the biggest wins of his career earlier this summer when he captured the $58,300 Kin Pace at Clinton Raceway with Saulsbrook Olympia.
Later on the card in the $11,500 Preferred 2 for horse and gelding pacers it was Brave World going down the road for driver Travis Henry in a time of 1:53.2.
Henry rolled the Harry Poulton trainee to the lead from Post 4, and after parking past the first quarter in :27.3 he dropped to the pylons and sliced out middle splits of :56.3 and 1:25.1 with the gelding. He was pressed around the final turn by J J Powerball, and then came under late pressure from Bee Two Bee in the closing strides. Brave World’s :28.1 closing panel earned him the win by a neck over Bee Two Bee, with Play Jet Ray taking home third prize.
Thestable Brave World Grp of Guelph, ON owns the seven-year-old son of Royal Mattjesty-Fit N Bad. The victory was his fourth of the season and the 31st of his career.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.