Tote board lit-up in $36,000 Open Pace

American Mercury (American Ideal) was given a perfect drive by Joe Bongiorno and at odds of 35-1, lighting up the tote board in upsetting the field at Yonkers Raceway Monday (Oct. 16) evening.

Competing in the 5^th race $36,000 Open Handicap Pace, even money race favorite Backstreet Shadow (Matt Kakaley) was first on the lead with American Mercury grabbing the two-hole sport as they raced to the opening quarter in :26.4.

Backstreet Shadow has no challenges as he led the field to the half mile in :56.1. Then it was Hemsworth N (Pat Lachance) coming first-over in the backstretch with Idealsomemagic A (Austin Siegelman) second-over to the three-quarters in 1:24.

By the top of the stretch, Backstreet Shadow was still in command, up by two and one-half lengths, but as they came down the stretch it was longshot American Mercury and Bongiorno gaining on the leader with every stride and nailing them at the wire by a neck in 1:51.4. Delightful Dude N (Tyler Buter) was third.

AMERICAN MERCURY REPLAY

Trained by Jenn Bongiorno, it was the seventh win on the season for American Mercury. The seven-year-old gelding is co-owned by the Jenn Bongiorno Stable, Evans Nation and Hickory Hollow Stud. He paid $73.50 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink