Twin $39,000 Open Paces won wire-to-wire

Yonkers Raceway held twin $39,000 Open Paces for 3-5-year-olds Monday (Aug. 5) and both harness racing events were won wire-to-wire.

The 2nd race first division saw Verdun (Bettor’s Delight) and driver-trainer Pat Lachance take the early lead away from Venturesome Arden N (Jordan Stratton) by the opening quarter in :28 and never had to look back again.

Cutting fractions of :56.4 to the half mile and 1:25.2 to the three quarters, Verdun then faced a first-over challenge by Night Hawk (George Brennan) and fought that one off on the final turn before going on to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:52.1. The pocket sitting Venturesome Arden N was second with Layton Hanover (Matt Kakaley) third.

It was the eighth win on the year for Verdun. The four-year-old stallion is owned by Thomas Ceraso, Jr. and paid $5.50 to win.

VERDUN REPLAY

In the 6th race co-feature it was the race favorite, Racing Rampage (Racing Hill) and driver Matt Kakaley who went down the road from post four.

With Adam Twelve sitting the two-hole trip, Racing Rampage cut the mile to the half in :56 and the three-quarters in 1:23.4 as Hazeville (Brent Holland) tried coming first-over in the backstretch.

Comfortably on the lead the rest of mile race, Racing Rampage went on to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:51.2 with Adam Twelve second and Panettone Hanover (Tyler Buter) third.

RACING RAMPAGE REPLAY

It was the second straight win and fifth of the season for Racing Rampage. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Travis Alexander for owners Darren Dowler and Lawrence Bettler, paying $3.80 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink