Sporty Tori drops and pops in first Grand River Preferred

Sporty Tori (Sportswriter) took advantage of the first Fillies and Mares Preferred offering of the season at Grand River Raceway, scoring off a pocket trip on a step down from the Mohawk Park conditioned ranks.

She emerged from a line of four battling into the first turn to take the lead for Garrett Rooney but soon saw the back of Tuggingoncredit (Jason Ryan), who continued grinding through the opening quarter to take control. The latter completed her mission just after reaching the first station in :27.3 and traveled unhurried to the half in :56.4.

The first opposition came after the leader hit three-quarters in 1:25.3 as Garrett Rooney pulled his charge out of the pocket. Sporty Tori swooped around Tuggingoncredit on the far turn and kicked away to win three-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:54.2. She paid $4.70.

Tuggingoncredit held the place spot over Ladies From Hell (Scott Coulter).

SPORTY TORI REPLAY

Sporty Tori, a six-year-old mare, reached a quarter century of wins with the victory. She has earned $261,209 in 102 lifetime starts. Gord McKnight trains the mare, a homebred still owned by M&S Stable of Rockwood.

A Preferred contest for pacing horses and geldings highlights the next program at Grand River Raceway, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jun. 27.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink