Despite being parked from race's outset and being dispatched at 9-1 odds, Sicario ($21.90) proved a dominant winner in Wednesday's (Sept. 1) $11,500 Preferred 2-3 Handicap Trot at Grand River Raceway.
Austin Sorrie floated the six-year-old Holiday Road gelding forward from the outside post 8 and, after landing a parked seventh a furlong in, advanced steadily without cover to engage pacesetter and 2-1 favourite Willyorwonthe (Colin Kelly) past a :58.4 opening half. Just upon beginning the second circuit, Sicario ground alongside Willyorwonthe to apply pressure before edging away to a clear lead past three-quarters in 1:27.3. On the far turn, Sicario sprinted to 3-1/2 lengths of clearance over Bastiano (Scott Coulter) — who wedged out of a failing pocket to give chase — and that margin decreased to 2-1/4 lengths at the end of a 1:58 mile as Sorrie took Sicario in hand. Horse Trader (J.B. Renaud) finished third.
Richard Moreau trainee Sicario, a 26-time winner in his career, earned his fourth victory of 2021 for owners Pamela and John Hehn.
The sub-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 for pacing mares saw I Wish You Well ($4.50) wire her eight foes in 1:55.1, maintaining 1-1/4 lengths of separation over runner-up Reys N A Rocket, who circled from fourth-over and made up six lengths in the stretch. Colin Kelly drove the seven-year-old Well Said mare for trainer Anita Ouellette and Luc Ouellette Incorporated.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.