by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — When the fields for Yonkers Raceway’s four stakes events on Saturday night (Nov. 25) were finalized, the dreaded title of “surest thing” was bestowed upon the 3-year-old pacing filly Darlin’s Delight.

And with good reason. The statebred daughter of Bettor’s Delight, leading lass in the $291,456 Lady Maud, has been a runway model of consistency.

She came in with the same record — nine wins in 14 starts — in each of her two racing seasons. She had excelled in restricted and open company and, much to the chagrin of her five rivals, she had shown no signs of slowing down.

The fact that she drew outside those aforementioned foes did not dissuade her fan club, which pounded her down to the role of minus-pool ma’am — 1-20.

Yonkers Raceway photo

Darlin’s Delight (Yannick Gingras) captured the Lady Maud in 1:55.

With regular escort Yannick Gingras as her navigation device, Darlin’s Delight worked her way up and over second-choice Caviart Sydney (Ron Pierce) to the adult table just after a :27.4 opening two furlongs.

Since no one wanted to test the fave, Darlin’s Delight waltzed through a :58.1 half-mile. Then, Let’s Imagine (George Brennan) took her shot with a hard, first-over rush. She was all out to briefly get her head in front in and out of the final turn (:28.4 third quarter), but Darlin’s Delight was far from finished.

The heroine put away that rival, then held both Caviart Syndey and the closing-inside Grandiose Gal (Mike Lachance) at bay. Darlin’s Delight won by three-quarters of a length over Grandiose Gal in 1:55.

Darlin’s Delight has put away more than $940,000 this season and more than $1.5 million for her brilliant career.

“I wish they were all like her,” Gingras said.

Sweet Paprika (Mark Beckwith) and Let’s Imagine also made money, while $30,000 supplement Lislea Bella (Jeff Gregory) was outrun.

Darlin’s Delight, owned by White Birch Farm and trained by Jeff Stafford, returned $2.10. The exacta paid $11.20, with the triple worth $21.40.

“She never cheats us,” Stafford said. “She takes good care of herself and has maintained a great attitude.”