No more bridesmaid status for A Delightful Act N

Northfield, OH — A Delightful Act N (Bettor’s Delight), who had been a bridesmaid instead of a bride against Open harness racing company the past few weeks, finally put it all together on Sunday (November 5) in the $20,000 Filly and Mare Distaff Pace at MGM Northfield Park.

Leaving from post four, A Delightful Act N (Hunter Myers) was fired hard off the gate when the wings sprung, but she had company in the form of Lydeo (Chris Lems), who left to her outside, and Better Days Ahead (Luke Ebersole), who was defending pylon position. Lydeo and A Delightful Act N worked past Better Days Ahead mid-way through the first turn.

The pair would duel into the backstretch, with Lydeo clearing her rivals, but Myers wasn’t content to sit the pocket and moved to re-take past a temped opening quarter of :27.2.

Myers got a breather in the second quarter, getting to the half in :57.1 with A Delightful Act N who led a host of pursuers, with the outer flow developing in the form of Adashious Hanover (Billy Davis Jr.), Fairies Delight A (Aaron Merriman), and race favorite Creme Delight (Ronnie Wrenn Jr).

Turning into the backstretch for the final time, Myers stepped on the gas, and A Delightful Act N began to create a slight separation on her foes, as she got to three-quarters in 1:25.3 and had not been challenged.

Turning for home, A Delightful Act N scampered away from all challengers, winning by two lengths in 1:54.1; Lydeo dug in to be second, while Better Days Ahead finished third. 

 A DELIGHTFUL ACT N REPLAY

It was the second victory in a row for the 7-year-old mare, which Schillaci Stables LLC, Sam Bova Racing, and John Manning own. The victory pushed her earnings to $359,028.

Two “senior citizens of harness racing” teamed up to get their first victories in 2023.

Floyd Rhodes, age 76, gave 10-year-old veteran trotter Another Breath (Lou’s Legacy) what turned out to be superior handling from the second tier and won Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association (GLADA) event on Sunday night, completing the mile in 1:57.1.

Both won for the first time this year with Another Breath getting his first win in 16 starts and Rhodes earning his first visit to the winner’s circle in his 18 drives this semester.

Rhodes classy trotter, who he also trains for White Oak Horse Farm, was forced to be well off the pace from his second tier and found himself some 14 lengths off the leader at a hot opening quarter in :27.3.

Wending his way closer during the next quarter mile, Rhodes sent classy trotter on a double bubble binge, circled up into second turning for home on the way to a :28.4 kick home for the win.

Golden Genes, handled by Eric Miller, was second, 1 1/2 lengths away, while Golden Compass, driven by Allen Sisco, was next.  Admiral Allstar was fourth for Edward Miller while the nickel went to Over Six, with Larry Ferrari handling the lines.

ANOTHER BREATH REPLAY

It was Golden Genes who sawed off the early fractions in this one, only succumbing to Another Breath once they straightened away.

For Another Breath, it was his 33rd career win, vaulting is lifetime earnings to $585,137.

Off as second choice at 5 to 2, Another Breath paid $7.00 to his many faithful.

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

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park