There’s valor, there’s discretion and there’s Evenin Of Pleasure.
Horse and driver took the latter tact Saturday, July 29, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Open Handicap Pace.
In play from same post position six he conquered in last week’s marquee pace, odds-on Evenin Of Pleasure was again wide leaving. This time, however, instead of being hung out in the hinterlands, he deferred, taking a seat as the floor show unfolded in front of him.
Western Dynasty, Dynamic Youth and Great Vintage mixed it up early, as in a :26.3 opening quarter-mile. Great Vintage won the early scrum, with Evenin Of Pleasure settling fifth and staying there through the :55.3 intermission.
He then moved to chase a first-up Texican N as that one advanced toward a 1:24 three-quarters.
Great Vintage owned a length lead into the lane, but he was done. Evenin Of Pleasure rolled from second-over, winning by a length-and-a-half in 1:52.3. Sharp shipper Hickory Icon closed from third-over into second in his first local appearance since last fall. Dynamic Youth, Western Dynasty and Texican N rounding out the payees.
Great Vintage backpedaled to last among the octet.
For Evenin of Pleasure, a seven-year-old son of Dragon Again owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Ron Burke, it was his third win in nine tries this year. Driven by George Brennan, he paid $3.40.
Yonkers offers up the third of eight consecutive Sunday matinees July 30, with a first post of 11:30 AM.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)