About A Boy defeats tougher

About A Boy faced his toughest harness racing opponents in two years on Monday in the Grand River Raceway Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap, and he responded to the step up with his fastest winning mile to date.

Colin Kelly demanded early speed from the gelding, and About A Boy used his rail positioning to take the lead going into the first turn. He completed the first quarter in :28, but Brodys Scrapper (Travis Cullen) marched up from the backfield and hurried the leader to the half in :57.2.

Brodys Scrapper applied pressure to the third quarter, which About A Boy finished in 1:25.1. The former backed up rounding the far turn after three quarters of a mile on the outside, and About A boy built a two-length cushion going into the stretch. The gelding then converted it to a second consecutive win and a new lifetime mark of 1:53.2.

Freddy Bear (Jason Ryan) slid up the rail for second. Pro Beach (Brett Macdonald) closed from eighth at three-quarters for the final triactor spot. Brodys Scrapper faded to seventh.

ABOUT A BOY REPLAY

About A Boy, a seven-year-old son of Dali, is now a 19-time winner in 110 lifetime starts. The Anita Oullette trainee has raked in $151,125 in earnings. Luc Oullette Inc. of Campbellville owns with Paul Bernard of Saint-Hyacinthe.

The horse paid $9.70.

Kelly was the evening’s leading teamster with three victories.

Grand River Raceway is scheduled to host live racing next on Wednesday, Jun. 30. The 11-race card, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT, includes another Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap feature.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink