Hard-knocking Will Take Charge did not have to work that hard Saturday night (June 22), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 co-featured Open Handicap Trot and becoming a career millionaire along the way.
Winning the 3-thru-6 draw among the half-dozen, the odds-on number strolled around the surroundings, posting splits of :28, :57.3 and 1:26 in progress to a 1:54 mile to match his season's best. Pole-assigned In Secret could not match strides from the pocket, beaten a length-and-a-quarter. A ground-saving Smalltownthrowdown was third, with a returning Meladys Monet and Chasin Dreams picking off the lesser loot.
For Will Take Charge, a six-year-old Kadabra gelding co-owned by (trainer) Jeff Gillis and Mac Nichol, it was his third win in nine seasonal starts (life 24-for-85, $1,006,228). Jordan Stratton drove the $3.20 winner. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $6.70, the triple returned $33.80 and the superfecta paid $91.50.
Stratton then doubled his pleasure in the $44,000 Open Handicap Pace, overcoming losing the 4-thru-8 getaway with a third-up Micky Gee N.
With no choice but to spectate early, Micky Gee N saw 3-2 choice Rock Diamonds N lead through spiffy intervals of :25.4, :55 and 1:22.2. Suctioned off the quick pace, Micky Gee N closed crisply, getting the better of Classy Dragon late. That one attacked the favourite, eventually winning the battle but losing the war.
Micky Gee N prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.4, with 45-1 Proven Desire third. Dr J Hanover and Toatsmygoats came away with the remainder while Rock Diamonds N tired to seventh among the octet.
For fifth-choice Micky Gee N, a six-year-old Down Under Bettors Delight gelding owned by William Hartt and trained Lance Hudson, it was his fifth win in a dozen ’19 tries. He paid $20.00 to win. The exacta paid $159.50, the triple returned $1,153 and the superfecta paid $5,546.
(with files from Yonkers Raceway)