Fresh off a victory in the Preferred 3 ranks one week ago, Top Royal tackled Grand River's featured mares in rein to J Harris. She moved from fourth to take the lead past the :27.4 quarter mark and cruised through middle splits of :56.1 and 1:24.3 on the way to a season's best 1:53.3 victory. Bourbon Seelster (Ryan Holliday) followed one and quarter lengths behind in the pocket while favourite Bet Ya (Jack Moiseyev) advanced first-over to show.
Sent postward as the 2-1 second wagering choice, Top Royal paid $6.70 to win. It was her fourth victory this year and 12th lifetime, lifting her bankroll to $116,342.
Nick Boyd trains the four-year-old mare by Royal Mattjesty for owner Brydown Farms Inc. of Clinton, Ont.
This week's $7,500 Preferred 3 was won by the Ben Wallace-trained mare by A Plus ($8.50), who rallied off cover approaching the third quarter mark and persevered in the dash to the wire in rein to Scott Young. Owned by Brad Grant of Milton, Ont., the daughter of American Ideal won by one length in 1:55.3 ahead of War Filly (Ryan Holliday).