Crosscut slices through Preferred field

Crosscut traveled uncovered for five-eighths of a mile in the Grand River Raceway Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap harness racing feature on Monday and passed five foes while doing so to win.

He dropped behind the leaving pack and took up sixth position from post four for Jean Rene Plante as the field of nine hit the first turn. Plante activated the gelding to the outside shortly after passing the quarter mile marker in :28.1, and they made quick headway. Crosscut fought through the open air to third place at the half in :59, and he was rolling up on the leader’s right passing three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Travis Cullen worked on leader Hes Got Swagger as they rounded the far turn and Crosscut drew level, but his mount gave way entering the stretch. Crosscut pulled away at that point and sailed down the lane to score by a length in 1:55.4.

Freddy Bear (Jason Ryan) led the cavalry charge of closers to take second. Shades of Bay (Austin Sorrie) was third. The winner paid $6.

Crosscut is a five-year-old gelded son of Mcardle. He has made more than $80,000 and won eight times in 45 career starts for S S G Stables of North Boston (NY). Tony Beaton trains.

The judges declared race three a no contest after an incident between Lucky Town (Plante) and Caseous (Austin Sorrie). Lucky Town went off stride just after the start and hooked wheels with Caseous while rapidly losing speed. Lucky Town then spun around due to the tangled bikes, which caused Plante to fall. The rest of the field continued racing until the race was called off just past the quarter.

Plante got to his feet quickly and regained control of Lucky Town. He was later seen on the broadcast wheeling the sulky off the track with another driver while someone else led the horse. Plante continued driving after the incident and the horse walked back to the paddock.

Grand River Raceway returns on Wednesday, Jun. 16 with 11 dashes, including another Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap. The card will start at 6:30 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink