It was a case of ‘bouncing back’ for Monday’s Preferred winners at Grand River Raceway as Dontpokethedragon and Arrakis managed to right the ship following poor performances in their previous outings.
Dontpokethedragon, who finished eighth in an Aug. 29 assignment at Woodbine Mohawk Park, bounced back with a 1:53.2 triumph in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers at the Elora, Ont. oval.
Travis Cullen rallied the Jodie Cullen trainee to the two-length score over race favourite Lets Get Pickled. Bettim Again took home third prize in the six-horse affair.
The five-year-old son of Custard The Dragon-Rummys Command, who is owned by J J J Stables, Paul Sanders and Travis Cullen, won for the fifth time this season and for the 22nd time in his career. He’s banked over $35,000 this year and more than $208,000 to date.
Arrakis, who miscued and finished a well-beaten seventh in an Invitation event on Sept. 11 at Hippodrome 3R, came back to life on Monday thanks to his rallying triumph in the $11,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters.
In rein to Jason Ryan, the Francis Guillemette pupil stormed home in :29.2 to stop the clock in 1:56.3. He prevailed by a neck over race favourite Esquire, with Scene A Magician finishing fourth-placed-third in the nine-horse tilt.
The 10-year-old son of Federal Flex-Kawartha Ann Worthy, who is owned by Guillemette, now boasts a solid record of 8-5-8 from 35 trips to the track this season. The 35-time winner is closing in on $90,000 in seasonal earnings while his lifetime cash stash sits at $513,670.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.