Esquire drops and pops in River Preferred

Esquire (Kadabra) left the Mohawk Park conditioned ranks for a visit to Grand River Raceway on Monday (Jul. 18) and romped in the Preferred Trot for his first win at the track.

The gelding protected pylon position for Tyler Borth and sat on top at the quarter in :28.1. He stole a half of :58.2 but increased speed to three-quarters in 1:27.1 to deal with the first-over assault from Sizzlen Hot Herbie.

Esquire began pulling away into the final turn and cruised to a three-length score in 1:56.2.

Sizzlen Hot Herbie stayed on for place. Second choice Power And Grace finished third. The winner paid $4.50.

ESQUIRE REPLAY

Esquire has now won 29 of his 134 career starts and has put together a bankroll of $309,626. Mark Goddard trains the nine-year-old for Brandon Guerra of Brantford. Esquire won a conditioned event at Woodbine Mohawk Park on May 16 but had been winless in seven since. It was his first trip to the Grand River winner’s circle, having started three times in Elora, Ont. before with no success.

Saulsbrook Jessie (Big Jim) took the card’s Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap, besting six rival trotters by four lengths in 1:56 with Samuel Fillion at the lines. Catch An Ace and Ladies From Hell completed the triactor.

SAULSBROOK JESSIE REPLAY

Saulsbrook Jessie is now one start away from triple digits. The mare has 26 wins and $233,156 in earnings. Ronald Macdonald trains the six-year-old for Edward Gorc of Sudbury.

Bryant Seelster (Sportswriter, Travis Henry, 2:00.3) and Hayek Hanover (Betting Line, Anthony Haughan, 1:59.1) won the pair of two-year-old races on the program.

Grand River Raceway is scheduled to continue racing on Wednesday, Jul. 20 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink