Without having to make a move off the rail until they started down the stretch, Red Right Hand (Captaintreacherous) scored a big harness racing upset at 18-1 odds in capturing the $36,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway Wednesday (Oct. 18) evening.
The 6th race feature for 3-5-year-olds saw Southwind Petyr (Jason Bartlett) shoot to the early lead with Ultimaroca (Jordan Stratton) sitting the two-hole trip to the first quarter in :27.1.
As they raced to the half mile marker, race favorite Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley) came first-over, slowly gaining round as they passed the half in :57. Meanwhile, Red Right Hand and driver Tyler Buter were sitting in sixth place on the inside.
The action heated up in the back of the pack in the backstretch with Pleaseletmeknow first-over, Greg The Leg (Brent Holland) second-over and then JMās Finaltreasure (George Brennan) three-wide from sixth place. Meanwhile Southwind Petyr was still holding the field at bay on the front end to the three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Meanwhile, with everyone racing on the outside, Buter moved Red Right Hand along the rail into fourth place.
Racing around the final turn, the pocket sitting Ultimaroca came outside to challenge Southwind Petyr. That enabled Red Right Hand and Buter to clear to the outside and sweep three-wide to challenge the leaders.
As they came down the stretch, Red Right Hand had the momentum and swept by the leaders to win by a half a length in 1:52.2. Southwind Petyr was second with Ultimaroca third.
RED RIGHT HAND REPLAY
It was the second straight win and third of the season for Red Right Hand. The five-year-old stallion is trained by Nancy Takter for co-owners Christina Takter, Nancy Takter & JAF Racing, Joe Sbrocco and R A W Equine. He paid $39.80 to win.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink