$150,000 Quillen Memorial to Aussie pacer

HARRINGTON, DE – Joe Pennacchio Racing and Oldford Racing’s None Bettor A ($28.80, Mark Macdonald) captured the harness racing 14th edition of the $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway Monday with a 1:49.4 win.

The race honors 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 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding received a pocket seat in the mile behind favorite 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 Jack’s Legend N charged home down the passing lane to finish third. Trained by Andrew Harris, it was None Bettor A’s 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 5th 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 4th sub-1:50 mile in Harrington’s 75-year history.

NONE BETTOR A REPLAY

“The trip couldn’t have worked out better,” said Macdonald, who was driving None Bettor for the first time.

Four $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 1st leg events for 2-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 It’s 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 3rd straight race for trainer Kevin Switzer over Johnny Badlands and Schrute in the 3rd 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 1st career win. A son of Badlands Hanover, Ds Heartland had been racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia in his previous 3 attempts.

Eric Good’s Carlisimo ($3.40, Tim Tetrick) won a $17,000 conditioned pace in 1:51.2. The Josh Green-trainee notched his 6th win of the year. Green and Tetrick later teamed up with Play Rock ($2.40) for a 1:56.1 victory in a $10,000 conditioned pace.

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.

For full race results, click here.

by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway