Hunting As was the only favourite to prevail as the John Brennan Trotting Series began with four $20,000 divisions on Wednesday night (March 31) over a "sloppy" track at Yonkers Raceway.

Driven by Todd McCarthy, Hunting As worked a pocket trip behind Halo Its Me in the third flight, and watched as that foe clicked fractions of :30.2, 1:00.1, and 1:28.3. Halo Its Me was still in command as they turned into the stretch, but McCarthy had Hunting As finishing well two-wide to then surge by the pacesetter on his way to a one-and-a-quarter length decision in 1:57.3. Blue And Bold finished third after sitting on the inside in fourth.

A four-year-old gelding by Lionhunter, Jenny Melander trains Hunting As for owners Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables LLC., and Robert Bernaski. Hunting As has a record of 6-11-2 from 32 starts, and he has now earned $81,956. Sent at even-money, Hunting As paid $4.20 to win and led an $18.40 exacta and a $112.00 trifecta.

While second-best in that split, Gingras had already collected a win in the event after he guided Lady Jeter to a 10-1 upset in the opening section.

Lady Jeter went straight to the top from post 5, laid down panels of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.4, and kicked home in :29.3 to win by a length and a quarter in 1:57.2. Impulse Buy was the runner-up, followed by Windsong Pioneer. Heavy favourite Some Chapter made a break while advancing first over on the third turn.

Lady Jeter, a four-year-old Muscles Yankee mare, is trained by Ed Gannon Jr. for owner Zippett Racing Stable. Lady Jeter is now a seven-time winner from 37 tries, and she pushed her bankroll to $98,668. Lady Jeter returned $22.00 to win and keyed a $246.00 exacta and $556.00 trifecta.

Another surprise came in the second of the four series tilts when 21-1 offering Look In My Eyes darted to the engine from post 8, put up fractions of :29.1, :58.4, and 1:28, and couldn't be caught in a :30 final panel as he kept a first-over McMatters at bay to win by a length and a half in 1:58. Manhattanup No Ice wound up third from the pocket.

The second winner for sire Lionhunter, Look In My Eyes is a four-year-old gelding bred, owned, and trained by Anette Lorentzon. Look In My Eyes picked up his seventh victory, and he has now pocketed $98,215. Look In My Eyes, driven by Jordan Stratton, paid $44.20 to win and was atop a $136.00 exacta and a $786.00 trifecta.

Gingras then toppled the apple cart again in the final flight with 11-1 Guilty Desire in a 1:58.2 mile.

Guilty Desire yielded to sit in the pocket behind 1-20 favourite Get Legs after a :29 opening quarter, but Get Legs lost stride on the second turn, putting Guilty Desire back in command. He didn't relinquish the lead again, as a :58.3 half and a 1:28.1 three-quarters were followed by a :30.1 final panel to secure the victory. He downed a closing Bazillionaire by half a length, with Get Legs recovering and finishing full of trot for third.

Betty Clegg trains Guilty Desire, a six-year-old gelded son of Deweycheatumnhowe, for owner Nick Clegg. Guilty Desire collected his 15th win, and he has now pocketed $109,866. Guilty Desire paid $25.60, the exacta was worth $726.00, and the trifecta kicked back $1,136.00.

The John Brennan Trotting Series has two additional preliminary rounds on Wednesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 14. The final is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21.

As a result of all the upsets on Wednesday, there will be carryovers in both the Pick 5 and Pick 6 at Yonkers on Thursday (April 1), with a guaranteed pool in the Pick 5. The Pick 5 carryover is $6,863.85, which triggered a guaranteed pool of $20,000, and the Pick 6 carryover stands at $2,928.24.

The guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5, courtesy of TrackMaster, are available here. The Pick 5 and Pick 6 both have a takeout rate of 20 percent, as do the nightly Pick 4s.

Stakes action at Yonkers resumes on Friday (April 2) with two $35,000 divisions for the fourth leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares. Stakes action continues then on Monday (April 5) with three $40,000 splits of the fourth round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for free-for-all pacers.

(Yonkers Raceway)