33-1 shot sets new track record

Woodmere Rollnpop (Rollwithitharry) snagged the harness racing track record of the freshly laid five-eighths mile oval at Grand River Raceway on Monday (Jun. 10) in a 33-1 upset victory in the Preferred-2.

The gelding sat fifth for Travis Henry through :26.1 and :53.4 first-half fractions, moving out second over as the field swung towards the backstretch. He maintained his cover through three-quarters in 1:22.1 and pulled three-wide on the final turn. Woodmere Rollnpop vaulted off the helmet and soared to the front, clearing his rivals by two-lengths for the 1:51.2 victory. It Takes Two (Jason Ryan) finished second with I Ama Rocket (J. Bradley Harris) closing for show.

WOODMERE ROLLNPOP REPLAY

The win came in career-best time for Woodmere Rollnpop, who increased his lifetime tally to 30. He has earned $177,702 in 130 career starts. Garry Merner conditions the seven-year-old for Andrea Leon of Maidstone.

Several horses showed a liking towards the track’s new configuration, ending long losing streaks on the card. Miss M A K (Hes Watching, Austin Sorrie, 1:57.3), who was without a win in 54 stars since July 2022, won in her debut for the Joe Pereira Barn after James Barry purchased her a week ago. It was a new mark for the six-year-old mare, now a four-time winner in 69 outings. A race later, Southwind Caesar (Father Patrick, Mark MacDonell, 1:59.1), reached the winner’s circle for the first time since September 2022, 69 starts ago. It was also the six-year-old gelding’s first career visit to Grand River. Jodie Cullen trains the gelding for A1stable.

Sorrie was the evening’s top driver with three wins.

Racing at Grand River Raceway will continue on Wednesday, Jun. 12 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink