Photos by Tiffany Fortney
ELORA, September 27, 2023 – Ontario’s top Prospect Series competitors wrote their names into the Grand River Raceway history books on Wednesday, September 27 as part of the final card of half-mile racing hosted by the Elora racetrack. When racing returns to Grand River Raceway next spring, it will be over a newly constructed five-eighths mile surface.
Among the two and three-year-old Ontario Sired competitors starring on the final card of half-mile racing was Quiet Assurances, who lived up to her name in the $15,000 two-year-old pacing filly Prospect Series Final, sailing confidently along on the front end to an impressive victory.
Starting from post three, driver Bruce Richardson of Fergus, ON sent Quiet Assurances straight to the front, reaching the opening quarter in :28.2.
The Control The Moment daughter carried on through a :57.2 half and 1:26.2 three-quarters and then dug in down the stretch to hold off division point leader Wheres My Phone in a personal best 1:56.3.
Favourite Distant Lover, who finished in between Wheres My Phone and Quiet Assurances in the point standings, rounded out the top three.
“Tonight, when (trainer Nick) Gallucci’s horse (Distant Lover) drew the nine-hole, I wanted to be on the front and kind of control the pace,” said Richardson. “I didn’t know whether he’d come at me early or what kind of road problems he would get, but when he didn’t get to me until turning down the backstretch, I thought we could hold him off from there.”
Acton, ON resident Susanne Kerwood trains Quiet Assurances for owner-breeders Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, PA and Falcon Racing LLC of Jackson, NJ.
In the two-year-old pacing colt showdown, division point leader and fan favourite Ballykeel Painter set the early tempo, reaching the quarter in :27.4 and the half in :57.3.
Heading for the 1:27.2 three-quarters, third choice Bettin Again within striking distance of the pacesetter, and by the time the colts turned for home Bettin Again had taken clear command.
The Bettors Delight son cruised home a one and three-quarter length winner in a personal best 1:57.
Meet Me In Mekonos and Letjimitakeover also closed well to be second and third.
Cambridge resident Anthony Haughan piloted Bettin Again to the win, his second lifetime, for trainer Meg Crone of Cambridge and owner Laverne Turnbull of Kitchener, ON.
Turnbull purchased the gelding following his third-place result in the September 6 Prospect Series leg at Grand River Raceway.
“The owner bought him on onGait three weeks ago,” said Crone. “We trained him a few times and really liked him and thought we would give him a shot in here. He raced good and seems like a nice horse.”
Yoda Queen delivered a commanding performance in the three-year-old pacing filly final, reaching the wire six and three-quarter lengths ahead of her peers in 1:55.4.
Oh Gouda and Handbagofcheezies battled it out for second and third, with division point leader Gimmie A Corona settling for fourth.
Jamie Doig owns and trains Yoda Queen, and driver Andy Moore gave the Petrolia, ON resident full credit for having the All Bets Off daughter in peak form for the Prospect Series finale.
“Jamie had her ready,” said Moore. “I just let her do whatever she wants, she’s the boss. She’s the nicest little thing I’ve ever sat behind.”
The win was the fifth of the season for Yoda Queen, who finished third in the regular season point standings.
In spite of some early confusion, heavy favourite Crazy World produced the win fans were expecting in the three-year-old pacing colt battle.
After sitting behind pacesetter Cold Creek Guerero through fractions of :27.1, :57.1 and 1:26.3, Crazy World sprinted home to a one length victory over Delightful Leader and Cold Creek Guerero in 1:55.4.
“I was worried when I didn’t make front and then Lorne’s (House) horse (division point leader It Takes Two) made a break,” said driver Garrett Rooney. “Sometimes he can be a little tough to steer, so when he doesn’t get off the gate right and someone gets in the way like Lorne’s horse did it can be tough to steer him around.”
“All the credit to Garrett for being so patient with him,” said trainer Kathy Cecchin of the driver’s season-long partnership with Crazy World. “He was pretty sketchy when we started out with him in London and he’s still hard to steer. He’s super sweet and the nicest horse to be around, but he’s not the easiest horse to steer.”
The trainer and her husband John Cecchin share ownership of the Control The Moment gelding, who has tallied nine wins, seven seconds and two thirds for the Arthur, ON residents, missing the top three just once in 19 starts.
Complete results for Wednesday’s card are available here and replays can be viewed on the Grand River Raceway website.
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