59-1 upset at Grand River

Control The Smile (Control The Moment) ended an otherwise chalky Friday night (Jun. 16) at Grand River Racway with a bang, as he ended a 21-start losing streak by winning the harness racing finale at 59-1.

Bruce Richardson settled the gelding in the pocket behind leader Shanghai Ky (Lorne House), who rebuffed a challenge at the half and held a clear lead through three-quarters. Control The Smile swung out turning for home and locked in battle with Shanghai Ky as they raced for the line. Shanghai Ky held his advantage into the final eighth but laboured late, and Control The Moment surged to catch him by a neck in 1:56.2. With Shanghai Ky off at 22-1, the $2 exactor returned $900.50.

CONTROL THE SMILE REPLAY

The public dismissed Control The Smile on the back of finishing no closer than seventh in his past four starts, including losing by 20 lengths while dropping down to Grand River on Jun. 9. The four-year-old won once in his rookie season and is now two-for-24. He has earned $24,090 for Dorothy and Brent Dunbar, the latter of which trains the gelding.

Colin Kelly had a strong day in the bike, winning four races. He took the first with Better Catch Girl (Betterthancheddar, 1:56.2), the second with Cinderella Delight (Bettors Delight, 1:56.3), the fourth with T C Scandal (Charley Barley, 1:57), and the sixth with Major On The Beach (Art Major, 1:57.1).

Racing will continue at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Jun. 19 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink