by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — After three rounds of preliminary action the Newcomers Series for 3- and 4-year-old male pacers came to a close on Wednesday night (Feb. 17) at Balmoral Park with a field of eight battling for a purse of $6,000.

Balmoral Park photo

AJ’s Delight was a 1:54.2 winner in the Newcomers Series final.

With seven of the eight starters boasting wins during the series the final figured to be a hotly contested affair. It proved to be just that as James Durante III’s AJ’s Delight took advantage of an early speed duel to post a 2-1/4 length, come from behind score in a career best of 1:54.2.

Perfectly positioned in fourth by driver Marcus Miller, the gelded son of Park Place was more than content to watch the early action as KB’s Taylor (Robert Smolin) and Western Tower (Phil Knox) flew through early splits of :27.2 and :55.4.

Moving to the outside as the field moved midway around the final turn Miller had AJ’s Delight moving steadily towards the front as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.2.

Easily reeling in the tiring leaders the bay 4-year-old scooted right by the top pair, cruising home in :29 to notch his second win in three starts this season for his owner-trainer. Bring The Rain (Josh Sutton) rallied to finish second while KB’s Taylor did well to hang on for third.

AJ’s Delight returned $10.60, $6.00 and $4.60.