Freshman pacing colts took the track at Grand River Raceway in two $8,800 divisions on Wednesday (Sept. 13) and Ballykeel Painter posted the faster split in 1:58.
Meet Me In Mekonos (Austin Sorrie) led the field of eight to the first panel in :28.1. He was followed by Country Mouse (James MacDonald) in second and Ballykeel Painter (Daryl Thiessen) in third. Thiessen tugged on his right line and sent the Terry McKibbin student forward and swept around to the top. Ballykeel Painter set the half in :57.3 and opened up by 3-3/4 lengths to the 1:26.4 three-quarters. Country Mouse charged from the pocket to challenge Ballykeel Painter in the lane, but was outpaced by a half length at the wire for the win in 1:58. Letjimtakeover (Scott Coulter) grabbed third.
Ballykeel Racing Inc. bred and owns the freshman Dali colt, who won his third race in five Prospect Series starts. Ballykeel Painter paid $7.40 to win.
Wild Doc Holliday capped off the card with a gate-to-wire triumph in the second Prospect Series division of the night.
Leaving swiftly from the rail, Wild Doc Holliday and Austin Sorrie took command of the eight-horse field. The pair posted panels in :29.1, :59.3 and 1:28.4 before pulling away from the field to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:58.3. Hope N Pray (Tyler Moore) took second and Bettors Rush (Travis Henry) rounded out the top three.
Gregg McNair trains the Betterthancheddar-Shadowofhersmile colt for breeder and owner William Hanover. He earned his first win in eight starts. Wild Doc Holliday paid $4.40 to win.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.