Billings drivers visit Grand River

Larry Ferrari and Charmbo Prince (Royalty For Life) dominated in the Billings Series on Friday (Aug. 19) as it visited Grand River Raceway.

Ferrari flashed early speed with the gelding but ducked into the empty four-hole before Letstaketothesky (Charlie Longo) completed the first quarter in :28.4 from the lead. Charmbo Prince switched back to the outside on the turn and settled onto the front just past the half in :59.2.

The five-year-old remained in full flight into the third panel and was six lengths up as he stopped the clock on three-quarters in 1:27.3. He sailed to the finish under wraps while extending his margin to 10-and-a-quarter in a 1:56.3 victory.

Letstaketothesky led the second group home. Dirt (Ben Hollingsworth) finished third.

CHARMBO PRINCE / LARRY FERRARI REPLAY

It was the second winner’s circle visit of the season for Charmbo Prince, who is 12-for-58 overall with $127,624 in earnings. John Rier of Kitchener trains the gelding whom he co-bred and co-owns with Randy Rier of Hanover.

Ferrari has won five of his 42 starts this season. He has 369 career victories in 3,490 starts and has earned $1,060,806 for his mounts.

A pair of two-year-olds broke their maiden on the card at the hands of Bruce Richardson. Leading Resolve (Resolve) stepped down from the Grassroots and wired his second-race rivals in 2:02.3. Trainer John Holding co-owns the gelding with Morley Bosomworth. Control The Smile (Control The Moment) gave Richardson a double in the next race with a late-closing 1:57.2 score. Brent Dunbar trains the sophomore, who debuted last week, and co-owns him with Dorothy Dunbar.

Richardson picked up one more winner for the triple, a feat tied by Scott Coulter on the night.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink