Lyons Again and Russian Kisses shared the spotlight at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday evening (July 27), each scoring wins in their respective $7,500 Preferred 3 assignments.
Owned by Geoffrey Lyons Mound and trained by Bruce Goit, Lyons Again went wire-to-wire to win the Preferred 3 Pace for horses and geldings with Bob McClure in tow.
McClure sent Lyons Again to the lead from post two while pocketing Raylan Givens (Clarke Steacy) through a :27.2 first quarter before Warrior Call (Brad Forward) tipped out from fifth off the turn heading to the half in :56.4. However, Lyons Again remained strong on the lead to three-quarters in 1:25.4 with Saulsbrook Peach (Robert Shepherd) rallying three-wide off the stalled cover of Warrior Call and closing hard in the stretch. However, Lyons Again held off Saulsbrook Peach down the stretch to win by one length in 1:56 flat. Haydens Little Man (Jason Ryan) followed two and a half lengths behind in third off a three-hole trip while Ciona Bromach (Anthony Haughan) and Warrior Call completed the top five finish order.
Lyons Again paid $6.90 to win as the 2-1 second wagering choice to favourite Cobalt Man (Alfie Carroll), who followed in seventh-place throughout. The win was the first of the Dragon Again gelding's four-year-old campaign in six attempts.
The Isabelle Darveau-trained Russian Kisses converted off a pocket trip two races earlier to win the distaff division for driver/owner Robert Shepherd.
The six-year-old Badlands Hanover mare tracked 6-5 favourite Katherine B (Brad Forward) through fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.4 before sprinting through along the inside lane to score the 1:57.3 victory. Polk Dot Hanover rallied four-wide around first over Windsong Glamorous (Bob McClure) and Pinky Tuscadero (Mike Horner), and stormed home to finish within one length of the winner, just ahead of Katherine B. Windsong Glamorous was fourth while Insincerity (Jason Ryan) edged out Pinky Tuscadero for the final paycheque.
Sent postward at odds of 7-2, second favourite Russian Kisses paid $8.90 to win. She notched her second win of the year from 10 starts.