Two-year-old Sportswriter filly breaks maiden

Sporting A Smile (Sportswriter) recorded the first victory of her harness racing career in the Monday (Jul. 14) opener at Grand River Raceway.

The filly settled into the pocket from the rail after letting Brydown Wait N See (Paul Mackenzie) go by on the first turn. The latter cut :29.3 and 1:00 fractions before Brett MacDonald pressed go on Sporting A Smile and kicked off a prolonged battle with the leader on the backstretch.

The top pair battled eye-to-eye through three-quarters in 1:29.3, and both refused to give way as they turned into the stretch. Twin B Flame (Travis Henry) joined them via the passing lane, but she was too late as Sporting A Smile pulled a neck in front to win in 1:59.

Brydown Wait N See held on for place over Twin B Flame.

SPORTING A SMILE REPLAY

The win came in Sporting A Smile’s second start after a fifth-place finish in the Prospect Series on debut. Earl MacLeod trains and co-owns the filly with her breeder, Clifton Hobbs.

MacDonald came to the winner’s circle thrice on the day.

Racing resumes at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, Jul. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink