With a dramatic stretch drive by Joe Bongiorno, Southwind Petyr (American Ideal) was able to post his 9th harness racing victory of the year in capturing the $36,000 Open Pace Wednesday (Oct. 25) at Yonkers Raceway.
The 2nd race feature for 3-5-year-olds saw race favorite Ultimaroca (Jordan Stratton) leave from post five to take command with Southwind Petyr getting the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :26.3.
They raced single file to the half mile in :55.2 and then in the backstretch, Great Somewhere (Jason Bartlett) came first-over, boxing in Southwind Petyr at the three-quarters in 1:24.
Around the final turn and into the stretch, Ultimaroca held the lead, but Southwind Petyr was still boxed in. Then Ultimaroca began to bear out in the stretch and Bongiorno sent Southwind Petyr along the pylons to the lead and they just held off the late closing Greg The Leg to win by a neck in 1:53.1. Ultimaroca was third.
SOUTHWIND PETYR REPLAY
Trained and co-owned by Jenn Bongiorno with Ben Mondello, Southwind Petyr is a five-year-old gelding and he paid $7.00 to win.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink