Given a perfect second-over trip by harness racing driver Jeremy Smith, Wellsaid Evelyana (Well Said) lived up to favorite status in capturing the $35,000 final of the Herb Coven, Jr. Memorial Pace for fillies and mares Tuesday (April 9) at Miami Valley Raceway.
The 9th race feature got underway with Lady With No Fear (Tyler Smith) going to the early lead with Hoofprintsinthesand (Cameron McCown) grabbing the two-hole spot to the opening quarter mile in :26.3.
Then it was Mollys Ace N (Chris Page) who quickly shot out and took the lead away from Lady With No Fear. Gather Ye Rosebuds (Daryl Bontrager) came first-over from fifth place to challenge Mollys Ace N while Jeremy Smith moved Wellsaid Evelyana second-over behind the hopeful live cover. The half mile went in :56.3.
Gather Ye Rosebuds kept the pressure on Mollys Ace N, getting within a quarter of a length of the leader by the three-quarters in 1:24.3.
By the top of the stretch, Gather Ye Rosebuds was within a nose of Mollys Ace N, but also in the hunt was Wellsaid Evelyana. As they battled to the wire, Wellsaid Evelyama was the strong horse as she came on to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.1. Hoofprintinthesand was second with Lady With No Fear coming in third.
WELLSAID EVELYANA REPLAY
It was the second win of the season for Wellsaid Evelyana. The four-year-old mare is trained by Brian Georges for owners Phillip Groves and Sharon Koester and paid $4.80 to win.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink