Despite having to compete week in week out in stakes events and Opens against the best older pacers in harness racing, Covered Bridge (American Ideal) keeps on winning and posted his 17th victory of the year Monday (Nov. 6) at Yonkers Raceway.
Starting from post three in the 5th race $32,000 Open Pace, race favorite Covered Bridge and driver Jordan Stratton got away in second place following Rocknroll Runa A (Mark MacDonald) to the opening quarter mile in :27.1.
They raced single file to the half mile in :56.1 and then American Mercury (Tyler Buter) came first-over in the backstretch but could not advance on Rocknroll Runa A by the three-quarters in 1:24.1.
By the top of the stretch, Stratton sent Covered Bridge after Rocknroll Runa A with Covered Bridge wearing the pacesetter down and winning by one length in 1:52.1. American Mercury was third.
COVERED BRIDGE REPLAY
It was the second straight win for Covered Bridge along with being victory #17. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Jeff Gillis for owner Mark Ford of Campbell Hall, NY. He paid $3.80 to win.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink