YONKERS, NY, Wednesday, June 21, 2017 – Harness racing double-millionaire Resolve returns to the scene of his world-record romp Saturday night (June 24th), headlining Yonkers Raceway's $55,000 Open Handicap Trot.
When last working in Westchester, the now-6-year-old son of Muscle Hill made short of his rivals in last October's million-dollar Yonkers International Trot. Resolve went the (mile-and-a-quarter) distance in a spiffy 2:23.4.
Resolve began this season by winning the $200,000 Cutler Memorial (Meadowlands), then hightailed it to Solvalla, where he was second (elimination) and third (final) at the Elitlopp.
Assigned outside his seven rivals in Saturday night's sixth race, trainer Ake Svanstedt takes his usual seat for owner Hans Enggren.
There are few lightweights in this week's marquee trot.
Obrgiado (Mark MacDonald, post 6) and his $1.6 million resume started his season with a solid second in Scioto's $200,000 Hill Memorial, while veteran statebred Gural Hanover (George Brennan, post 4) has been rock-solid in his last three tries across the river.
Melady's Monet (Jason Bartlett, post 7), though not being able to reach from a 12-hole here a week ago, had won two of his previous three local Open Handicap tries. Barn Doll (Jeff Gregory, post 3) defends the honor of the fairer sex going after a 20th career win.
Springbank Sam N (Jordan Stratton, post 1), Money Maven (Eric Goodell, post 2) and Red Hot Herbie (Dan Dube, post 5) complete the octet.
Saturday night's co-featured 55-large Open Handicap Pace (8th race) finds Western Fame (MacDonald) banished behind the eight-ball.
Frank Drucker