Illgetmyown Thanks grabs first 2021 win

Illgetmyown Thanks secured his first harness racing victory of the season as he forged to the front late in the Friday feature at Grand River Raceway.

Colin Kelly worked him into the pocket spot early and kept him on the inner path of the muddy track through the opening quarter mile in :28.2 and half in :58.2. Kelly sent the gelding first-up at three-quarters in 1:27.4 as an advancing rival threatened to box the duo in.

Illgetmyown Thanks hit the top going into the final turn, but leader Quick Tour (Michael Horner) rallied on the inside and kept his nose in front as they hit the eighth pole. His efforts were in vain though, as Illgetmyown Thanks vaulted by as they straightened for home and took the win by a length in 1:55.4. Quick Tour was second, and Millenium Seelster (J. Bradley Harris) completed the top three.

ILLGETMYOWN THANKS REPLAY

Dale Fritz trains and co-owns the $3.20 winner. Illgetmyown Thanks improved his lifetime record to five-for-50 with the win and increased his earnings to $49,942. Michael Sawyer of Walkerton, Edward Acheson of Proton Station, and B W P Stable of Toronto share ownership of the five-year-old Shadow Play gelding.

Kelly also won with Jmr Mach Mel (1:56.4) in the sixth and Partyintheshadows (1:56.2) for a triple in the sulky.

Grand River Raceway has 11 races scheduled for Monday, Jun. 28. That card begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink