Dawn Anderson wins NAADA Final

Yonkers, NY— It is often said that there are horses for courses. And if that's so, how about harness racing drivers for who are a perfect fit behind a certain horse.

Case in point: Dawn Anderson and Take A Wish.

For the second time in the past few weeks Ms Anderson and the 5-year-old Wishing Stone mare rallied to victory, this time with a come- from- behind triumph in the $15,000 NAADA Final at Yonkers Raceway on the cold Friday evening of December18. On Nov 11 the duo teamed-up for a 1:58:3 triumph in a NAADA leg, also at Yonkers Raceway.

But their victory tonight was amazing in that they came from seventh ar the top of the Yonkers homestretch and then rallied to a going away one length triumph in the non-wagering contest that was held over from yesterday due to a heavy snowfall that besieged the northeast then.

Before the race, previous leg winners DW's Revenge (Brett Beckwith), from post four, and Exarch (Tony Verruso) from the seven-hole, figured to be the ones to beat, on paper anyway. And when the gate sprung Exarch hustled right to the lead and had command by the first quarter in :29.4. However, young Beckwith moved DW's Revenge off the pylons as the field headed to the halfway point and they were second-over as the half mile timer flashed 1:01:2.

As the pace quickened DW's Revenge showed the way by three-quarters in 1:30.3: with Exarch on his chinstrap on the inside.

Meanwhile Take A Wish was languishing at the back of the pack but smartly Anderson used the inside route to rally her charge from seventh at the top of the stretch to a stunning come-from -behind triumph over DW's Revenge in a 2:01.3 clocking.Exarch held on for the show dough.

Ms Anderson shares ownership of the winner with Steve Smith. It was Take A Wish's fourth seasonal triumph.

by John Manzi for NAADA