Robert Briley and Baron Racing Stable’s Dancin Yankee overcame post eight for driver Ross Wolfenden to prevail in the featured $20,000 Open Monday at Harrington Raceway in 1:52.
It was the second straight win for the four-year-old Yankee Cruiser stallion, who is trained by Josh Green and made his Harrington debut last week with a 1:51 win that resulted in a track record. The record was short lived however as Bobby Quillen Memorial winner Betterthancheddar eclipsed the mark four races later with a 1:49.2 world-record equaling performance.
In his repeat bid, Dancin Yankee left from post eight and took an early tuck in the fourth position before puling first over past the half mile where he would begin to duel pacesetter Wind Me Up. The two sped to three quarters in 1:24.2 before Dancin Yankee edged clear of a stubborn Wind Me Up in deep stretch. Cracker Pullet was third. Dancin Yankee has made more than $217,000 in 2012.
It was one of three winners on the program for Wolfenden.
The program also saw 12-year-old pacer Village Blitz ($23.20, Tony Morgan) earn his 63rd career win with a 1:53 triumph. The son of Village Jiffy has raced 323 times and banked nearly $900,000 for owner/trainer Arty Foster, Jr.
(Harrington Raceway)