Favoured Darling Mearas S threw down the gauntlet Saturday night (Sept. 21), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $42,000 Open Handicap Trot.
Despite no previous small-track experience and having to requalify after two Tioga breaks, Darling Mearas S beat the boys and made them cry.
Offering high speed from post-position 4, Darling Mearas S was gingerly-handled early after making the lead. She was apparently emboldened soon thereafter, stuffing Eye Ofa Tiger AS in behind.
A :27.1 opening quarter-mile gave way to a rated :57.4 intermission, and the lass was gone. She widened passing a 1:26.4 three-quarters, taking two-and-a-half lengths into the lane.
The margin was four-and-a-quarter lengths by the time she hit the wire in 1:54.4. Theresademonimme lasted for second after trying it first over, with Will Take Charge third. Eye Ofa Tiger AS and a returning Meladys Monet rounded the payees.
For Darling Mearas S, a six-year-old Swedish homebred daughter of Cantab Hall trained by driver Ake Svanstedt for owner Snogarps Gard, it was her second win in 10 starts this season. She paid $4.60 to win. The exacta paid $18.80, the triple returned $170 and the superfecta paid $493.
(Yonkers Raceway)