Joe Pennacchio Racing and Oldford Racing's None Bettor A captured the 14th edition of the $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway Monday with a 1:49.4 win.
The race honoured the memory of the late long-time Delaware legislator Bobby Quillen who loved harness racing and advocated for horsemen during his career.
None Bettor A, an eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, received a pocket seat in the mile for driver Mark MacDonald behind favourite Tattoo Artist through fractions of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:22.2. None Bettor A edged to the outside at the top of the stretch and was a neck ahead of Tattoo Artist at the wire. Local entry Jacks Legend N charged home down the passing lane to finish third.
Trained by Andrew Harris, None Bettor scored his 34th career win. The veteran pacer has been a regular on the Yonkers Raceway circuit but stepped up to the Invitational ranks in style with his fifth win of the year.
It was the second Quillen win for Macdonald, who won the 2018 edition with Sunfire Blue Chip. It was just the fourth sub-1:50 mile in Harrington’s 75-year history.
"The trip couldn't have worked out better," said MacDonald, who was driving None Bettor for the first time.
None Bettor A paid $28.80 to win.
Four $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) first leg events for two-year-old male pacers were contested on the 14-race program. The top eight point earners from two legs of eliminations will return to compete in a $100,000 final on October 4.
Reggie Hazzard's Clear Mist ($2.80, Allan Davis) was a front end winner in the first split in 1:58.2 over Ash In The Wind and Step On Over. The Powerful Mist gelding recorded his first lifetime win for trainer Wayne Givens.
George Teague and K&R Racing's Its Above Me Now ($26.40, Ross Wolfenden) prevailed in the second split over Bad And Boujee and Callaland. The Southwind Lynx colt notched his first career win for trainer Clyde Francis.
KDK Standardbreds' Heinikin By The Bay ($2.80, Jason Thompson) won his third straight race for trainer Kevin Switzer over Johnny Badlands and Schrute in the third DSBF division. The Southwind Lynx colt is the only colt in the current DSBF crop with a trio of wins already under his belt.
Ds Heartland ($5.40, Art Stafford Jr.) was the fastest elimination winner with a 1:55.3 win over Its Pronounced Jif and Imwoncaptainwiser in the final split. The Les Givens-trainee recorded his first career win. A son of Badlands Hanover, Ds Heartland had been racing at Harrah's Philadelphia in his previous three attempts.
DSBF pacing fillies headline the Tuesday Harrington card in three $20,000 divisions, while four divisions of trotters will be featured on the Wednesday card.
Live racing will continue Monday through Wednesday through October 20. Post time nightly is 4:30 p.m.
(Harrington)