Natasha back to winning ways

Natasha was almost unstoppable in her first two harness racing seasons, winning 15 of her first 17 starts and all seven as a three-year-old.

However, the daughter of Six Of Diamonds missed the 2020 campaign and lost two consecutive starts when she returned in June 2021 as a five-year-old. In the Wednesday feature at Yonkers Raceway, though, she capitalized on a perfect trip and greeted the winner’s circle for the first time since Dec. 19, 2019.

Jim Marohn, the horse’s regular driver this year, crossed her over three foes and slotted her into second behind first turn leader High Minded (Scott Zeron). Natasha enjoyed the pocket for the first three splits of the race – timed in :28, :56.4, and 1:25.2 – before swinging to the outside and pursuing a long-awaited victory.

High Minded offered resistance only as far as mid-stretch, when she gave way and Natasha steamrolled to the win in a lifetime best-equaling 1:53. My Cam Girl (Tyler Buter), who sat third much of the way, nailed High Minded on the line for second. The latter finished third.

NATASHA REPLAY

Natasha, a $3.80 price on Wednesday, has won 16 of 20 career starts and has earned $146,056. Jay Sears bred her in his local Osteen, FL, and drove her in her maiden-breaking score at Vernon Downs. He then handed the lines to Wally Hennessey, and his wife, Kim, became the horse’s trainer. Kim harnessed Natasha in 14 straight victories, including the Florida Breeders Stakes at two and three and the 2019 Sunshine State Stakes Final. Jay passed away on Jan. 12, 2020, after an accident while jogging a horse on his farm. Kim took ownership of the horse on Dec. 30, 2019 but did not race her again until Jun. 30, 2021. Jake Huff has taken over training duties.

Jay’s obituary says that he “felt that Natasha was one of the best horses that he and Kim had ever bred and trained.”

Jay was a major proponent of the Florida harness racing and breeding industry, resulting in his induction to the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. The Sears’ stood six stallions, including Six Of Diamonds, and won the Florida Breeder of the Year award six times. Jay, the father of hall of fame driver Brian Sears, served as the president of the Florida Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association as well as a director of the U.S. Trotting Association.

Yonkers Raceway returns to action on Thursday, Jul. 15 with a card that features three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies. First post is set for 7:15 p.m. EDT on that 12-race card.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink