Favorite grinds out first-over Open Pace score

American Courage (American Ideal) and harness racing driver Matt Kakaley were able to move first-over at the half mile marker and then grind it out first-over in capturing the $39,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway Monday (July 25) evening.

The 9^th race feature got underway with 42-1 None Bettor A and driver Austin Siegelman shooting to the early lead with Semi Tough (Jordan Stratton) getting the two-hole trip and away third was the 3/5 favorite, American Courage. The first quarter was :27.3.

Coming to the half mile marker, Red Right Hand (Scott Zeron) started to move to the outside and they were able to flush Kakaley with American Courage first-up as None Bettor A continue to lead past the half mile in :56.1.

Swinging into the backstretch, None Bettor A kept American Courage parked first-over to the three-quarters in 1:23.1 and then on the final turn American Courage continue to gain on the pacesetter and had the lead at the top of the stretch. From there it was pretty easy for American Courage to find the wire in 1:51, winning by one length over Ignatius A (Pat Lachance) with Jack’s Legend N (Tyler Buter) third.

AMERICAN COURAGE REPLAY

For the four-year-old stallion American Courage, it was his third win this year for trainer Travis Alexander. He is owned and was bred by Fiddler’s Creek Stable, LLC of Naples, Florida and paid $3.30 to win. Lifetime, American Courage has 15 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third place finish with earnings of more than $615,000.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink