Williams repeats in Manitoba Great Western

Choozetocruise (Lambretta) gave harness racing trainer Trevor Williams his second straight Manitoba Great Western in the 77th renewal of the province’s most prestigious stake on Saturday (Aug. 31) at The Loop.

Glenn Le Drew ordered the filly to the front, and she put up a :31 first quarter as Grit N Grace, the track record-holder and favourite, slid into the three-hole. Choozetocruise was on cruise control to the half in 1:02 when Dean Rey sent Grit N Grace in motion first-up.

Grit N Grace took the overland route to three-quarters in 1:31.4, chipping away at the leader, but began to waver as they rounded the final turn. Choozetocruise put her away at the top of the stretch and soared clear to prevail by five-and-a-quarter lengths in 2:02.

Grit N Grace held onto place over Cartoon Kid (Marc Fillion).

Choozetocruise is now six-for-seven on the season, a week after her first defeat of 2024 in the Silk Lace. The filly, owned by Williams, has earned $28,509.

The win was Williams’s third in the Manitoba. He captured the stake in 2020 with Follow Your Nose and in 2023 with Handsome Dan.

The Loop will hold a three-race card on Sunday, Sep. 1, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink