James Moore III’s NF Happenstance earned a decisive win in Wednesday’s $17,000 Open Trot at Harrington Raceway, and the 1:54.2 clocking established a new track record for four-year-old mares.
The SJs Caviar mare and trainer/driver Jack Parker, Jr. went after immediate command from the rail, and never relinquished the lead en route to a two-length win over Spunky Jack and Im So Striking. Favourite Traverse Seelster, who nosed out NF Happenstance last week for the win, mounted a challenge first-over but never seriously threatened the front-runner in their rematch.
NF Happenstance also equaled the all-aged track record for trotting mares, co-held by Allmar Surprise. Trainer Parker, Jr. acquired NF Happenstance earlier in the year and has had success at both Delaware tracks and the Meadowlands, where she won two consecutive races in April.
Allan Davis continued to have the hot hand with four driving wins, giving him 32 through 11 nights of racing. George Dennis and Tony Morgan each had a double.
(Harrington Raceway)