St Lads Beat It strikes again

St Lads Beat It has hit the ground pacing in his four-year-old year with two open-length wins in two starts five days apart.

He won the conditioned feature at Grand River Raceway on Saturday with a three-wide blast at three-quarters.

He was caught four-wide entering the first turn due to his post five draw, and driver Anthony Haughan pulled him into the five-hole on the backstretch. St Lads Beat It’s respite was short-lived as Haughan ordered the gelding to march first-over passing the quarter mile marker in :28.1, but he flushed out Dreaming Out Loud (Alfie Carroll) for cover.

St Lads Beat It went three-wide after enjoying the draft through the middle splits of :58 and 1:26.2 and swept past the top two in short order. He extended his winning margin throughout the stretch drive and crossed the finish line four and a half lengths the best in 1:55.2.

Doc Fanelli (Colin Kelly) fought back for place after losing the lead on the final turn to Dreaming Out Loud, who finished third. Bettors were all over St Lads Beat It, who paid $2.40 to win.

ST LADS BEAT IT REPLAY

St Lads Beat It is undefeated at four after losing all 22 of his starts as a three-year-old. The son of Mach Three won on Jun. 13 at Clinton before the Friday romp at Grand River. Prior to his hot start to 2021, he most recently visited the winner’s circle on Nov. 10, 2019 after a win in the Autumn Series at Flamboro. He is four-for-34 lifetime with $43,428 in earnings for Rebecca Williamson of Blyth. Jeffrey Williamson trains the horse.

Grand River Raceway will be back at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, Jun. 21. A Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Pace features on that 11-race card.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink