82-1 stunner at Grand River

Rave Review (Bettors Delight) produced a career-best harness racing effort at Grand River Raceway on Friday (Jul. 1) to befuddle the betting public with an 82-1 upset.

The mare claimed the five-hole under orders from owner/trainer/driver Lorne House as Larjon Lena (Ryan Desroche) worked to the top in a :27.3 first quarter. Rave Review was left strung out by the half in :56.4 as the three-hole sitter popped first over, and she was eight-and-a-half lengths behind the front in fourth at three-quarters in 1:26.

Rave Review began to reel in the dueling pair with a quarter mile to go and exploded off the final turn. House yanked the right line in the stretch, and she blew by the top two with little room to spare in 1:56.4.

Saturn V (Travis Henry) prevailed with the place cheque from the front-end battle. Larjon Lena finished third.

RAVE REVIEW REPLAY

Rave Review returned $166.90 for a $2 win ticket. In 52 starts, she has won six times and earned $29,651. House, a resident of Dutton, took back the mare’s training duties from Tim Myers prior to this start. She debuted at four in 2020 and raced in P.E.I. until House bought her in October 2021. Friday’s outing was her second win for the horseman.

The $2 exactor paid out $1,963.70.

Also on the card, two-year-old Big Jim gelding Ossie The Second won on debut for driver Scott Coulter, trainer Ted Macdonnell, and owner/breeder Leonard Gamble. The gelding made two moves to the front in 2:02.1 mile. He is the fifth winner in five starters for No Pan Intended mare Outofthefryingpan.

OSSIE THE SECOND REPLAY

Coulter was the day’s top driver with three wins.

The next race date at Grand River Raceway holds a pair of Preferred features. It is set for a 6:30 p.m. start on Monday, Jul. 4.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink