Welcome Here Farm’s Serene Harbor took the lead at the third to last fence of the 113th Grand National and repelled a late challenge from Senior Senator to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Raven’s Choice finished third, 11 1/2 lengths farther back in Saturday’s middle jewel of the Maryland Timber Triple Crown.
Trained by Todd McKenna and ridden by Annie Yeager, Serene Harbor completed the 3 1/4 miles of the $30,000 Grand National in 6:05.20 on firm turf.
Bred in Pennsylvania by Nina Gardner, wife of Welcome Here owner Timothy Gardner, 12-year-old Serene Harbor won his second consecutive timber stakes. The Valley Crossing gelding scored a runaway victory in the Genesee Valley Hunt Cup last October.
Michael Wharton’s Grinding Speed won the first race in the Timber Triple, the My Lady’s Manor, and is expected to pursue a second victory in the Virginia Gold Cup on May 2. The final race of the series, the storied Maryland Hunt Cup, will be run next Saturday, April 25, in Glyndon.