Briggs better in Prospect Series

Briggs (Sportswriter) notched his first lifetime victory in the Prospect Series leg 2A for two-year-old pacing males at Grand River Raceway on Friday (Jul. 15) in a step down from his debut in the OSS Grassroots.

The gelding sped into the first turn and secured control for driver Garrett Rooney. He took his unresponsive foes to the quarter in :28.1, half in :58.2, and three-quarters in 1:27.4. Marshall Zhukov (Mario Baillargeon), fresh off a debut win, launched a charge from the pocket entering the final turn but made little impact as Briggs closed out the victory in 1:57.3.

Marshall Zhukov was a length-and-a-quarter short. Trinity La Menace (J. Bradley Harris) closed from sixth to third.

Win tickets returned $5.60.

Briggs races for John and Kathy Cecchin of Arthur. He finished sixth on debut in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots on Jul. 7. They won the gelding from the Harrisburg sale with a $30,000 bid. Kathy Cecchin trains the son of Rocknroll Hanover mare Beaches N Dreams.

The track also hosted the Weiner Dog Races. Gus took home the trophy in the event sponsored by Ren’s Pets. Chico was second over third-place finisher Chorizo.

Grand River Raceway’s top competitors will face off during the track’s next card on Monday, Jul. 18. The card, beginning at 6:30 p.m. features a Preferred Trot and Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink