After settling for the runner-up spot in last week’s Preferred Pace at Grand River Raceway, Lets Get Pickled front-stepped his way to a 1:55.3 triumph in the closing night feature at the Elora, Ont. oval.
With Colin Kelly at the controls, Lets Get Pickled was parked to the quarter pole in :27.4 by Choreographer before working his way past that foe and scooting to the top. Once in charge, Lets Get Pickled sailed through middle splits of :58.2 and 1:27 over a track rated ‘sloppy’ with a two-second allowance. He then kicked home in :28.3 to win by a half-length margin over Choreographer. Casimir Richie P was third.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, the six-year-old son of Articulator-Talbot Victoria improved his 2022 record to 7-4-3 from 32 starts for trainer Duane Marfisi. The 20-time winner is owned by John Stamatis of Bolton, Ont. He’s banked over $150,000 to date.
A change of scenery from Mohawk Park to Grand River Raceway helped Gold Edition come up with an improved performance for trainer Blair Burgess.
The six-year-old son of E L Titan-Ticket To Broadway went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a wire-to-wire triumph in the $12,000 Preferred Trot.
J Harris rolled his charge through panels of :27.2, :58.1 and 1:27.4 before using a :30.1 closing frame to hold on for the nose decision over Star Power Hanover in 1:58. Charmbo Prince took home the show dough.
Sent off as the even-money choice, Gold Edition nabbed his fourth win of the year and the 17th of his career. The career winner in excess of $275,000 is owned by Stirling Fisher and Karin Olsson Burgess.
There were tight races going into the closing card to decide the leading drivers and trainers of 2022, and when the dust settled it was Brett MacDonald and Jodie Cullen earning bragging rights for the 2022 season.
Brett MacDonald secured 43 wins over the course of the year to edge out Tyler Borth (40) and Scott Coulter (34).
Jodie Cullen took home top honours in the trainers’ standings thanks to a 16-win season. She edged out fellow conditioners Don Lindsey (14 wins) and Richard Moreau (13 wins).
All source wagering on Grand River Raceway’s live racing for the 2022 meet was $10,789,600 for a daily average of $234,556. The total wager was 6.1 per cent up over the 2021 season.
Dates for Grand River Raceway’s 2023 race season will be released in the new year. The GrandWay Lounge will continue to be open daily for the simulcast wagering.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.
(With files from Grand River Raceway)