Yankee Up ($4.60) parlayed a pocket trip into his first win of 2019, taking Wednesday night's (June 19) $7,200 optional claiming feature at Century Downs by a half length over pacesetter Silent Rescue.
Silent Rescue (Dave Kelly) blasted out from the pole to secure the early lead, and Yankee Up followed behind for an easy pocket through a :28.3 first sectional, only to be boxed by the first-over Outlawstandndelivr (Paul Davies) nearing a :57.3 half mile. Hard pressed for room up the far side, trainer-driver Jamie Gray was finally able to angle Yankee Up off the pegs just above the eighth pole, after Outlawstandndelivr's first-over challenge stalled.
Turning for home, a softened Silent Rescue — who worked to maintain at minimum a one-length lead over Outlawstandndelivr into the far turn — was under a full-on drive, but Yankee Up lifted to take over in the final sixteenth en route to a 1:56 win. Silent Rescue held second, while the ground-saving Marlons Magic (Mike Hennessy) checked in third.
Gray co-owns Yankee Up with breeder James Rhodes. It was the eighth career victory for the four-year-old Vertical Horizon gelding.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Century Downs.