Grand Bay Leads the Pack in Dresden

GRAND BAY was the winner of the $12,700 Mark Austin Pacing Series Final on Sunday for her fifth win in a row at the local oval. The three-year-old Badlands Hanover was tested several times but was up to the task. 

GRAND BAY took the early lead but MICKEYS CRUISER cleared to the front just past the quarter for Garret Rooney but Tyler Borth pulled GRAND BAY out and regained the lead before the half.

GRAND BAY was no sooner settled when PRESIDENTS WISH and Nick Steward came charging up on the outside but again Borth and the Cathy Gaudreau trained filly held off the charge.

A BIT OF BILLIE and Mark Williams closed to within a head but GRAND BAY held off the challenge for the win.

GRAND BAY set fractions of 28.3, 59.3, 1:29.3 for a mile time of 2:00.2 on a good track.

Austin’s wife Julie and daughters Paige and Paula presented Borth with a watch as the winning driver.

The day also featured the Ken Houston Memorial Pace in honour of the former NHL’er who hailed from Dresden. Several former NHL’ers and current NHL player TJ Brodie were on hand to honour Houston.

Almost $5,000 was raised towards the Ken Houston Memorial Scholarship Fund with a live auction, silent auction and raffle.

Sunday was also the largest crowd of the year with over 1,500 people in attendance and the largest handle of the year of $34,180.

Submitted article.