The mercurial W.N. Reynolds Memorial found its way to Westchester Saturday, May 12, with Yonkers Raceway hosting six divisions for three-year-olds pacers of both genders. More than $132,000 was up for grabs in three divisions each for the boys and the girls over an off going.
The fastest male mile of the $23,066 divisions was turned in by odds-on Wes Delight. From post-position 4, he took over from a 90-1 bombardier and finished the first event from there, with splits of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:25.1 prior to hitting the line in 1:53.3. Wes Delight defeated Trump Nation by two-and-one-half lengths, with 129-1 proposition Yupper third.
For Wes Delight, a son of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by (trainer) Mark Harder, Rick Phillips and Deena Frost, it was his second win in three seasonal starts. Driven by Corey Callahan, he paid $2.70 to win.
“A little kid could drive him,” Callahan said. “He had the leader stop in front of him [in PA Sire Stakes at the Meadows], so I thought if I could make the front, I’d leave with him. He does only what’s asked of him.”
The other colt/gelding divisions were won by My Delight and Mach N Cheese. My Delight, a son of Betterthancheddar owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable, trained by Homer Hochstetler and driven by Brent Holland, returned $71.00 in his 1:55.1 upset, while Mach N Cheese, a gelded son of Betterthancheddar owned by Save the Day Stable, trained by Rob Harmon and driven by Jordan Stratton, paid $7.40 in his 1:54.1 victory.
It was feast or famine for Harmon after last season’s Sheppard winner, Kwik Talkin, stopped badly on the lead in the second division. He wound up last at 1-5, presenting the trainer with some questions before the eliminations for the Art Rooney Pace next week.
“The track was hard and he’s had some foot problems,” Harmon said. “The [entry] box closes Monday afternoon, so we have to see how he’s doing.”
Saturday night’s trio of Reynolds for the ladies, worth $21,066, $21,066 and $21,566, respectively, were won by Checkered Past, Presto Blue Chip and Alexas Power respectively.
Checkered Past, by American Ideal, competes for owner All Star Racing, is trained Peter Foley and was driven by Mark MacDonald. She won in 1:54.1, paying $3.40.
Presto Blue Chip, by American Ideal, races for co-owners Howard & Michael Ouriel, is trained by Jeff Smith and was driven by Brett Miller. She won in 1:54.2, paying $6.50.
Alexas Power, by Somebeachsomewhere, competes for owner Jeff Snyder, is trained by Jim Campbell and was driven by Tim Tetrick. She won in 1:54.4, paying $9.30.
Not to be outdone, the $44,000 Open Handicap Pace saw Evenin of Pleasure beat up his rivals by seven lengths in 1:51.1. The eight-year-old son of Dragon Again, owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, is approaching $900,000 in career coin. Driven by Joe Bongiorno, he paid $9.30.
The $44,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by favored Seasoned Saint in a season’s-best 1:55.3. Piloted by Jason Bartlett, he paid $5.00 to win.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)