Saulsbrook Victor crushes Grand River record in qualifier

Saulsbrook Victor (Source Of Pride) became the first horse to pace the new Grand River Raceway five-eighths-mile oval in under 1:50 in his qualifier on Wednesday (Sep. 4).

The gelding knocked one-and-three-fifth seconds off the all-age mark as he thundered through the mile in a world of his own, crossing the line a 46-length winner with Brett MacDonald aboard. Hot Coe Coe (Travis Henry) was second, reaching the line more than nine seconds later. Ideal Perception set the previous record of 1:50.4 earlier this season.

Saulsbrook Victor, a top free-for-aller at Woodbine Mohawk Park earlier this year, was returning from a two-month layoff in Wednesday’s qualifying win. The Ronald MacDonald-trained gelding has won 24 times and earned $551,885 lifetime. His next pari-mutuel start will be his 100th. Brett MacDonald co-owns the six-year-old with Brent Maclennan.

Grand River will host a pari-mutuel card this evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete qualifier results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink