A pocketed Havefaithinme N slipped up the inside and picked off 2-5 favourite Rodeo Rock Saturday night (Nov. 2), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 Preferred Pace.

The feature, pared down to a half-dozen after a pair of defections, saw Havefaithinme N—in one notch to post-position 3—make the first lead. He was then leapfrogged by polester Rodeo Rock. The people’s preference then led through early intervals of :27.1 and a half in :56.

Runrunjimmydunn N tried it first over from third, pressing through a :27.3 third quarter (1:23.3).

Rodeo Rock owned a length-and-a-half lead off the final turn but drifted, leaving the back door unguarded. Havefaithinme N was more than obliging, scooting through to whip the fave by a length in 1:51.4.

Third went to Runrunjimmydunn N with Western Joe and Turbo Hill settling for the minors. Dancin Dragon received lovely parting gifts.

For second-choice Havefaithinme N, an eight-year-old millionaire Down Under Bettors Delight gelding co-owned by Blindswitch and Good Friends Racing Stables, Gary Axelrod & Santo Farina and trained by Jose Godinez, it was his ninth win in 27 seasonal starts. Jason Bartlett drove the $10.00 winner. The exacta paid $18.80, the triple returned $39.60 and the superfecta paid $150.

(Yonkers Raceway)