New millionaire made in $250,000 Miecuna Invitational

Ari Ferrari J (Walner) was the winner of Saturday afternoon’s $250,000 Bob Miecuna Invitational for older trotters at MGM Yonkers Raceway after he covered the mile and a sixteenth distance in 2:00.4. With his share of the purse, Ari Ferrari J went past the $1 million mark in lifetime harness racing earnings.

After showing some speed from post two, driver Jason Bartlett wheeled Ari Ferrari J to the outside in the early stages from third and made his way by early leader Cecil Hanover (driven by Ake Svanstedt) past the 29 second opening quarter. Ari Ferrari J never faced a serious threat from there, as he glided through panels of 27.4 and 1:26 on his way to the win by two lengths. Cecil Hanover checked in second over Take All Comers (Jordan Stratton) and favored M-M’s Dream (David Miller) advanced from eighth to fourth. Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn) collected fifth.

ARI FERRARI J REPLAY

“Being off the inside there, the gate kind of takes off on us and at times you can just give them their head a little bit and they’ll try to switch gears and run,” explained Bartlett. “So, I was more worried about just getting him off on the right foot and then just taking the race how it came. Only a couple left, so I was actually in a really good spot going into the first turn.

“He won so easy last time out of the hole, and I was very excited when I saw he was in this race today. He had a start over the track and I kind of knew him at the Meadowlands and loved him there and loved him last week. We actually drew a good spot and he didn’t disappoint.”

Tony Alagna trains Ari Ferrari J, a 4-year-old son of Walner bred by M Biasuzzi Stable Inc., for owner Ken Jacobs. Ari Ferrari J is an 11-time victor from 39 starts, has earned $1,014,931 and paid $16.00 to win as a 7-1 offering. The exacta was $156.50 and the trifecta was worth $2,841.00.

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

From Yonkers Raceway