Stevens Saloon, driven by Jason Thompson, was a 1:51.3 winner from the outside post in the featured $27,397 Delaware Special Handicap Pace at Harrington Raceway on Monday, May 18.
Primo Maschio (Pat Berry) made the lead in a :26.3 opening quarter and set middle fractions of :55 and 1:23.1 before facing heavy pressure on the final turn from Wehadababyetzaboy (Art Stafford Jr.), who headed up the outer tier with Stevens Saloon following the cover and Mr Three O Five (Montrell Teague) sliding out on his back from the three-hole. The outside momentum continued in the stretch as Stevens Saloon fanned wide in the stretch and surged by for a 1-1/2-length score over Mr Three O Five (Montrell Teague), who closed even wider, with Wehadababyetzboy third. Primo Maschio finished fourth.
The win was the second in a row for Stevens Saloon, following a victory at the Open level the week prior. He paid $5.20 to win as the 8-5 favourite.
The five-year-old Always B Miki-Lasting Love gelding is trained by Joe Hunderptfund Jr. and locally owned by Richard Ashley and Michael Cain. The victory pushed his earnings in excess of $150,000 for the year and improved his seasonal scorecard to 4-5-2 in 16 starts.
Live harness racing will continue at Harrington on a Monday through Wednesday schedule with post time at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)