Wrenn wins Buckette for second straight year

Helpoftheseason (Helpisontheway) popped the pocket nearing the three-quarter pole and trotted away to a 2 1/2 length win in $88,000 Buckette in harness racing action from the Delaware County Fair on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 20th.)

Winning driver Peter Wrenn (who was winning his second consecutive Buckette) explained the winning move. “I didn’t know if I could keep up early, but he started to get a little tired,” he said about Yannick Gingras’ drive, leader Royal Filly. “Actually, she ended up making a break. That’s why I moved in that turn, because I thought I could wear her down then. Anyway, whatever thoughts we had, they are behind us and we’re in the winner’s circle.”

Royal Filly was intent to cut the mile and she took no prisoners through early fractions of 27.2 and 56.2 with the eventual winner riding in her pocket. Bella Machiato (Dexter Dunn) tried a middle move first up but broke stride amidst a third quarter retreat.

That left Royal Filly and Helpoftheseason well clear of the field at the 1:24.1 three quarters. Wrenn moved his filly outside and she was already a half-length ahead of Royal Filly when that rival broke stride at the head of the lane.

The only question that remained at that point was how much Help Is On The Way would win by and she cruised under the wire 2 1/2 lengths to the good in 1:54.2 as a 9 to 2 shot. Longshots Pride N Joy (Todd McCarthy), Stella Rose (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) and Bravo Angel S. (Andrew McCarthy) rallied for second, third and fourth respectively, producing a High-5 carryover of close to $700 to race 17.

HELPOFTHESEASON REPLAY

Helpoftheseason, owned by John Schmucker and Wrenn Racing LLC of Indiana and trained by Melanie Wrenn was taking her fifth win in 10 starts this year. The $44,000 winner’s share of the Jugette purse boosted her career earnings to more than $311,000.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink