Unbeaten Test Of Faith handles sloppy track

Test Of Faith had little difficulty in improving her harness racing record to four-for-four in 2021 and 12-for-13 lifetime, as she front-stepped her way to a 1:53.2 win in Friday night’s $150,000 Park MGM Pace for 3-year-old fillies at Yonkers Raceway.

Driven by David Miller over the sloppy oval, Test Of Faith went to the lead from post three and was well-rated through opening-half fractions of 28 and 58.2. Business picked up after the half as second choice Marsala Hanover (Scott Zeron) tried a first-over move out of third, but her advance stalled as Test Of Faith picked up the tempo to 1:26.1 at three-quarters.

Things remained unchanged around the final bend, and in the stretch Test Of Faith opened up on her rivals in an instant despite Miller sitting like a statue in the bike, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. Heart Of Mine (Jason Bartlett) followed in the pocket throughout and held second, with Darby Hanover (Andy Miller) up for third. Classicist (Todd McCarthy) checked in fourth from second-over, and Marsala Hanover faded to fifth.

TEST OF FAITH REPLAY

“She raced great. She was a little bit wild. I don’t know if it was the night or the weather, whatever it was, but usually she’s very, very calm, and tonight she was on it, so I knew it was game on,” said winning trainer Brett Pelling. “She comes back here for the sire stakes on (June 16). That’ll be good. Another run around Yonkers will do her well.

“She’s sound, she’s healthy, she’s just a beautiful horse.”

A daughter of Art Major, bred by Fred Hertrich and owned by Mel Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Eddie Gran, Test Of Faith has now earned $637,700. She was the 1-9 favorite and paid $2.10 across the board. The exacta returned $3.20, and the trifecta was worth $17.60.

For full race results, click here.

From Yonkers Raceway