Hemsworth N can’t get caught in $39,000 Invitational

Using the rail post position to get out front early, Hemsworth N (Sweet Lou) and harness racing driver Austin Siegelman could not be caught on the front end in winning the $39,000 Invitational Pace Monday (Aug. 12) at Yonkers Raceway.

With Typhoon Banner N (Joe Bongiorno) sitting the two-hole trip, Hemsworth N and Siegelman cut fractions of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:24.2 as Boiling Oar (Matt Kakaley) tried coming first-over in the backstretch to no avail.

It was not until the stretch drive that Typhoon Banner N came after Hemsworth N but could not catch the winner who won by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.4. Carabao A (Tyler Buter) closed to be third.

It was the fifth win on the season for Hemsworth N. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Jared Bako for 1362313 Ontario Ldt and paid $6.70 to win as the wagering favorite.

HEMSWORTH N REPLAY

In the 10^th race $39,000 2-5-year-old Open Pace, it was another ex-Kiwi, Venturesome Arden N (Captaintreacherous) and driver Jordan Stratton, who despite being parked out first-over, barely beat out Its A Me Mario (Jason Barlett) in a photo finish.

Hazeville (Brent Holland) was parked out by Combustion (Joe Bongiorno) to the opening quarter in :27.3. Combustion then retook command of the race as Venturesome Arden N and Stratton started up first-over by the half mile in :57 but could not collar the pacesetter. Following second-over was Its A Me Mario.

Down the backstretch and Combustion was still in command of the race with Venturesome Arden N still parked out first-over but gaining a little ground on the race leader. By the top of the stretch, Venturesome Arden N and Combustion were just noses apart.

Combustion began to tire coming down the stretch, but Venturesome Arden N still had a head of steam and was able to hold off It’s a Me Mario to win by a nose in 1:52.2. Race favorite Verdun (Pat Lachance) was third.

VENTURESOME ARDEN N REPLAY

It was the eighth win on the year for Venturesome Arden N, who is owned and trained by Ricky Bucci and paid $11.00 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink