After three rounds of preliminary action, the Newcomers Series for three and four-year-old colt and gelding pacers came to a close on last night at Balmoral Park with a field of eight battling for a purse of $6,000.
With seven of the eight starters boasting wins during the series, the final figured to be a hotly-contested affair. It proved to be just that, as James Durante III’s AJs Delight took advantage of an early speed duel to post a two and a quarter-length come-from-behind score in a career best 1:54.2.
Perfectly positioned in fourth by driver Marcus Miller, the gelded son of Park Place was more than content to watch the early action, as KBs Taylor (driven by Robert Smolin) and Western Tower (Phil Knox) flew through early splits of :27.2 and :55.4.
Moving to the outside as the field moved midway around the final turn, Miller had AJs Delight moving steadily towards the front as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.2.
Easily reeling in the tiring leaders, the bay four-year-old scooted right by the top pair and cruised home in :29 to notch his second win in three starts this season for his owner-trainer. Bring The Rain (Josh Sutton) rallied to finish second, while KBs Taylor did well to hang on for third.
AJs Delight returned $10.60, $6.00 and $4.60 on Win, Place and Show wagers wagers.
(Balmoral)