Speedy tactics lead to five-star Kelly performance

Harness racing driver Colin Kelly piloted five horses to victory from the front-end at Georgian Downs on Tuesday to boost his win rate in June to one third through 33 starts.

Kelly kicked off the evening with a natural hat trick. In the opener, he guided Iwanna B A Pirate (Sunshine Beach) to the front from post six for a maiden-breaking score 1:55.2. Shawn Steacy trains the three-year-old colt, who has now started eight times, for owner/breeder Diane Bertrand of Edmonton.

Kelly gave Dads Princess (Sportswriter) a similar steer to capture the second race in 1:55. The Boyd Wilson trainee led at every station for a third career victory in 22 starts. Lisa Desroches of London owns the four-year-old mare.

Hercule J M (Goliath Bayama) completed a triple for Kelly in the third race. The nine-year-old gelding was another coast-to-coast winner and stopped the clock in 1:55.2 for trainer and owner Harold Wilson. Hercule J M is now 19-for-144 lifetime.

Kelly steered journeyman gelding Print Media (Vintage Master) to a 23rd career win in the seventh race. The nine-year-old gelding fought off rivals in the first and final quarters to take a 1:55.2 victory. Joseph Squires conditions Print Media, a 224-time starter, for Bobbie Jo Weinholdt Harris.

Kelly secured his fifth win as Good And Sweet (Sweet Lou) set a new career mark of 1:51.4 after splitting through a group of rivals early to take the lead and holding on by a nose in the finale. It was the 14th career win for Good And Sweet, a six-year-old gelding. The cheque will put him into the six-digit earnings bracket. Kyle Bossence trains the homebred for Steven Colvin.

The reinsman is the leading driver at Georgian Downs so far this season with eight wins, one clear of Brett MacDonald. Kelly has won 11 of his 33 tries in June and is striking at a 17 per cent rate in 2022.

The next card at Georgian Downs is slated for Saturday, Jun. 18 with a 7:15 p.m. EDT first post.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink