Yonkers, NY – It was sort of a shame to refer to these as ‘undercard events,’ but favored Mission Accepted (Yannick Gingras, $5.90) and McWicked (Brian Sears, $6.90) were as advertised Saturday afternoon (Oct. 12), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $250,000 Harry Harvey and Dan Rooney Invitational Trot and Pace, respectively.

Mission Accepted and Yannick Gingras were winners of the $250,000 Harry Harvey at Yonkers Saturday. Mike Lizzi Photo.

The Harvey saw Mission Accepted work out a perfect, second-over sojourn behind Rich and Miserable (Tyler Buter). The latter, Eye ofa Tiger AS (Jason Bartlett), Will Take Charge (Jordan Stratton) and Emoticon Hanover (Dan Dube) were all part of the early scrum in the mile-and-a-quarter event.

It was Will Take Charge who led through intervals of :28; :56.2 and 1:26, with Rich and Miserable out for a second move. That one engaged the leader in and out of the 1:54.4 mile marker, with Mission Accepted—from post position two—ready for his cue.

Reprising the International, the second-over was first, as Mission Accepted when wide and widened, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in an added-distance 2:23.4. An out-the-duration Custom Cantab (Dave Miller) was tremendous for second, with a tiring Will Take Charge, Speeding Spur N (Brian Sears) and Eye ofa Tiger AS settling for the minors.

For Mission Accepted, a 4-year-old son of Manofmanymissions co-owned (as Burke Racing Stable) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and David Willis, it was his fifth win in 20 seasonal starts. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $16.80, the triple paid $60.50 and the superfecta paid $440.

“He just overachieves,” Gingras said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better trip and he gives 120 percent.”

Brian Sears guided McWicked to his 40th career win in the $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace at Yonkers Saturday. Mike Lizzi Photo.

While pondering whether that’s even possible, a word about McWicked…and that word, said with love, is freak.

Last season’s Dan Rooney champ became this season’s Dan Rooney champ, doing it the hard way.

McWicked ground down 9-5 choice Jimmy Freight (Scott Zeron), then held off Micky Gee N (Stratton) by a nostril in 1:51.1.

It was the 40th career win for McWicked.

From post six, he was away fourth as Jimmy Freight two-moved around None Bettor A (Bartlett), throwing down a swift quick gauntlet (:26.2, 55.1, 1:22.4) along the way.

McWicked methodically moved toward the leader early in the lane, with Jimmy Freight giving way…albeit grudgingly. After Micky Gee N and Jimmy Freight, locals The Real One (Pat Lachance) and Theartofconfusion A (Austin Siegelman) picked off the leftovers.

For second choice McWicked, an 8-year-old son of McArdle owned by S S G Stables and trained by Casie Coleman, it was his sixth win in 15 starts in 2019. The exacta paid $74.50, the triple paid $369.50 and the superfecta paid $1,710.

“I was happy where I was able to get away and I knew I’d have to chase someone,” Sears said. “I’m glad for him. He’s battled foot issues during the summer and he’s such a pleasure to drive. He’s given me a lot of thrills.”

McWicked and his now $4,878,342 career bankroll show few signs of letting up.