Former NA Cup winner breaks all-age Grand River record

Desperate Man (Shadow Play) became the fastest horse in Grand River Raceway history on Monday (Aug. 28) as the 2021 North America Cup winner crushed his harness racing rivals in 1:50.1.

The gelding got away fourth and nine-and-a-half lengths back at the quarter as a three-way speed duel raged onto the backstretch to create a :26 first panel. He charged in the second quarter, moving into striking range at the midway point in :54.3, and took the lead approaching three-quarters in 1:21.2.

Garrett Rooney kept the gas pedal down, and Desperate Man blitzed the final quarter to win by seven-and-a-half lengths and break the overall track record in 1:50.1. Ideal Perception (Anthony Haughan) and Arties Ideal (Samuel Fillion) were second and third, respectively.

DESPERATE MAN REPLAY

Desperate Man’s win was his 11th lifetime in 47 appearances. The five-year-old, trained by Kathy Cecchin, has earned $1,170,981. In addition to the North America Cup, he is an Ontario Sires Stakes champion. Cecchin co-owns him with John Cecchin and Nicole and Paul Davies of Arthur.

The previous 1:50.4 record was set by Rare Jewel in Grand River’s fourth season of racing, 2007. With the track set to be reconfigured at the end of the meet, Desperate Man has likely stolen a place in the record books at the last moment.

Dealin With Dewey (Wheeling N Dealin) also rewrote the track record for an aged trotting gelding during the card. The Sara Baillargeon-trained gelding slogged first-over through the back half and pulled two-and-a-half lengths clear down the lane to score in 1:54.3 with Jason Ryan in the bike. The five-year-old’s clocking lowered the standard set by Sea Can last month.

DEALIN WITH DEWEY REPLAY

Grand River Raceway will continue action on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink