J J Powerball earned his first harness racing victory of the season on Tuesday with a first-over effort in the Preferred 2 Handicap Pace at Grand River Raceway.
Austin Sorrie steered the Image Of Dawn gelding into the four-hole after being stuck on the outside for the first quarter mile. Opportune Hanover (Jean Rene Plante) reported first to that station in :28, and he triggered a first-over move from J J Powerball while taking a breather to the half in :58.3.
J J Powerball, giving cover to Brodys Scrapper (Austin Sorrie), threatened to pass Opportune Hanover as the two hit three-quarters together in 1:27. The leader dug deep and kept his nose in front as they turned for home, but J J Powerball powered by in the final 1/16th of a mile and secured the victory in 1:55.
Opportune Hanover finished second by three-quarters of a length. Brodys Scrapper emerged third in a show photo.
J J POWERBALL REPLAY
Sorrie, a resident of Freelton, trains and co-owns J J Powerball with Tammy Collings of Hazel Brook. The six-year-old gelding has won 16 of his 86 lifetime starts and has earned $93,768.
It was a three-win day for the Travis and Jodie Cullen combination. The latter trained and the former drove Share The Moment (1:55.3), Jewels Dragon (1:54.1), and Outlaw Gunpowder (1:56.1) in their respective victories.
The next card at Grand River Raceway on Thursday, Jul. 14 features a Preferred 2&3 Handicap Trot. First post will be at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink