Lazarus filly romps in 19-1 upset

Two-year-old harness racing filly Two Pistol Annie became freshman sire Lazarus’s 24th winner of the year as she dropped more than two seconds and crushed her rivals at Grand River Raceway on Monday (Aug. 23).

Colin Kelly angled the filly into the four-hole on the first turn from post six and held position through first-half fractions of :28.2 and :59.2. He unleased her as the field entered the third turn and sailed to the front before completing three-quarters in 1:29.1.

Kelly continued efforts into the final turn and Two Pistol Annie soared six-and-three-quarter lengths clear to victory in 1:57.3.

Bet The Deck (Tyler Borth) was a clear second-best. Control Alt Delete (Scott Coulter) took show.

TWO PISTOL ANNIE REPLAY

Two Pistol Annie, trained by Julie Robinson, finished fourth on debut at Clinton on Jul. 21 and closed for fifth in 2:00 at Grand River on Aug. 8 before breaking her maiden in Monday’s effort. Brenda Selwyn Waxman of Dundas co-owns the filly with Tess Waxman of Ridgeville. They purchased her for $27,000 at the Lexington Select sale.

Alex Having Fun (Rock N Roll Heaven) took the card’s Preferred Handicap Pace for horses and geldings at the hands of Brett MacDonald. The Richard Moreau trainee met every pole first after hustling to the top and stopped the clock in 1:55.3 while two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Dragon Energy (Paul Davies) and another length ahead of Yacht Seelster (Tyler Moore).

The winning five-year-old gelding, owned by Ecurie CSL and Gaston Bibeau, is 19-for-84 lifetime with $158,539 in earnings.

Heavens Showgirl completed a Preferred sweep for sire Rock N Roll Heaven. Under orders from Tyler Moore, the seven-year-old mare motored past all five rivals in front of her in the third quarter and cruised to victory in 1:54.3. Whatineedisaman (Ryan Desroche) scrapped to the finish to take second. Saulsbrook Jessie (MacDonald) closed for third.

The mare moved to North America in Summer 2021 and is now in the care of leading Grand River trainer Donald Lindsey, who co-owns her with Paul Kleinpaste, William Alempijevic, and Garth Bechtel. She has won 16 of her 57 starts and has racked up a $155,116 bankroll.

Racing at Grand River Raceway resumes on Wednesday, Aug. 24 with a 10-race card starting at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink