Following a track record victory for older trotting stallions at Grand River Raceway a week ago in the opening leg of a Pop-Series, Eden Onthehill was sent postward as the 3-5 favourite in the $16,000 final and did not disappoint his backers in his Friday return.
Driver Austin Sorrie made his move with Eden Onthehill before the quarter pole and held one length clear of 2-1 second choice Royalty Beer (Samuel Fillion) through the stretch to score in 1:54.4 -- one second slower than his record performance last Friday night. Stonebridge Zeus (Jason Ryan), the longest shot on the board at 76-1, secured third place off a ground-saving trip.
Mark Goddard trains the winning six-year-old son of Muscle Hill-Taylor Jean for Pennsylvania owners Howard and Joshua Kaufman.
The $12,000 series consolation was won by 3-2 favourite Insanity in 1:56.2 with Jason Ryan driving for trainer Ben Hollingsworth and owner Michael Goldberg of Toronto, Ont.
This Pop-Up Series was for trotters that started for a purse of $6,000 or less in their last start.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)