Jgs Pal (by Tactical Landing) delivered an impressive performance at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, Sept. 25, winning the feature race and securing his sixth victory in his last eight starts. The three-year-old gelding clocked a lifetime best of 1:56.1 with Samuel Fillion at the reins.
After taking back early and settling in seventh position through the opening quarter in :27, Fillion brought Jgs Pal into action just before the half in :56.2. With double cover heading into three-quarters at 1:25, the gelding was still in sixth place around the final turn. However, Jgs Pal surged four-wide, passing all his rivals in the stretch to capture the win. Jay Richard Nyce (driven by Brett MacDonald) finished second, holding off Star Hairdresser (Austin Sorrie) for the runner-up spot.
Jgs Pal has now won seven of his 18 career starts, with earnings totalling $40,436. He boasts six wins from 12 starts this season, and his Wednesday victory shaved a fifth of a second off his personal best. Bryan Lawrence trains the gelding and co-owns him with Stuart Lawrence of Mt. Forest and Smurk Inc. of Elmira.
Grand River Raceway continues its meet on Friday, Sept. 27, featuring four Prospect Series finals, with post time set for 6:30 p.m.