Southwind Petyr, driven by Jason Bartlett for trainer Mark Harder, matched Jimmy Freight's track record for a three-year-old colt pacer on Tuesday night (October 12) at Yonkers Raceway by winning in 1:50.3.
Starting from post six in the $24,000 event for non-winners of six pari-mutuel races or $75,000 lifetime, Southwind Petyr, who finished fourth in last month's New York Sire Stakes final at Yonkers, went to the lead and carved out fractions of :27.1, :55.3, and 1:22.3. Pocket-sitter Tell Them Lou and driver Matt Kakaley tipped out coming to three-quarters but didn't make any headway at that point or around the far turn. The stretch drive was a different story, though, as Tell Them Lou began to rally and Southwind Petyr tried to fend him off.
Responding to Bartlett's encouragement, Southwind Petyr was able to keep his nose in front and put himself in the record book at Yonkers, tying Jimmy Freight's standard that he accomplished in an elimination for the 2018 Messenger Stakes.
Harder also co-owns the victorious American Ideal colt with partner Rick Phillips. Southwind Petyr, who was sent off at 6-1 and paid $14.60 to win, is now a five-time winner in his career, and he has earned $259,457. The exacta returned $57.50 and the trifecta was worth $152.00.
Elsewhere on the program, older male pacers battled in the $50,000 Pop-Up Series final, and it would be Bettor Memories and driver George Brennan who won in 1:51.4.
Bettor Memories secured the pocket in the early going from the pole position but moved out and around Rock The Devil and driver Jordan Stratton after the :26.4 opening quarter. From there, Bettor Memories maintained command to a :56.2 half and a 1:24.1 three-quarters, then slammed the door with a :27.3 final kicker to win by three-quarters of a length over Rock The Devil. Bill Haley N, driven by Scott Zeron, rode the rail behind the top two finishers, was unable to find room in the lane, and had to settle for third.
Ron Burke trains Bettor Memories, an eight-year-old gelding by Bettors Delight, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Phil Collura. Bettor Memories made his 41st appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now pocketed $851,182. He was the 2-1 second choice and paid $6.80 to win. He was atop a $27.20 exacta and a $70.00 trifecta.
Live harness racing resumes at Yonkers on Wednesday night (Oct. 13) with a 12-race program starting at 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers)