Bettors didn’t give the class jumping Major Stone much respect in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred at Grand River Raceway, but that didn’t stop the Tony O’Sullivan trainee from pulling off an 11-1 upset in the featured tilt.
With Scott Coulter at the controls, Major Stone got away sixth in the early going while Ultra Jimmy and Lucky Man battled past the quarter pole in :27.4 before the latter cleared to the lead. Lucky Man took the field to the half in :57 before being pressed by Stonebridge Wish to the three-quarter maker in 1:25.1.
Major Stone, in the meantime, was stalking the leaders from third over while sitting sixth at the mid-way point and then fifth as the group raced by the three-quarter pole. Coulter managed to milk a :28.2 final frame out of the seven-year-old son of Art Major-Jennas Stone, and that was enough for the pacer to win by a half-length margin over race favourite Pontiac Luck. Lucky Man came up a length short and settled for third prize.
Joseph Martinelli of Staten Island, NY owns the 18-time winner, who has hit the board in half of this year’s assignments. His 2-1-3 record from 12 starts goes hand in hand with a seasonal bankroll which now stands at $18,810. His lifetime cash stash has now surpassed $300,000.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.