Ken Weingartner

Hightstown, NJ — American Courage returns to the races for the first time since September when he meets seven foes in a division of the W.N. Reynolds Memorial for 3-year-old male pacers Friday at Yonkers Raceway. Last year, the colt was undefeated in his first seven starts before seeing his campaign undone by a virus.

“He’s doing very well; we’re right on schedule,” trainer Travis Alexander said. “It’s exciting. He’s very intelligent, very professional, and absolutely just wants to win. It makes my job easy; I just have to babysit.”

American Courage’s victories last year included the MGM Springfield Stakes and four preliminary divisions of the New York Sire Stakes series. Of his first six victories, all but one was by at least four lengths.

Last year, American Courage was undefeated in his first seven starts before seeing his campaign undone by a virus. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

His season came to an unscheduled end after he was scratched sick from a start on Aug. 28 and then two weeks later finished seventh in the sire stakes championship. He finished with earnings of $180,258 for breeder-owner Fiddler’s Creek Stables.

This year, American Courage’s schedule includes numerous Grand Circuit stakes in addition to the Reynolds, such as the MGM Grand Messenger, Meadowlands Pace, Cane Pace, North America Cup, and Progress Pace.

With the North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park rescheduled from June 19 to Sept. 11 because of COVID-19 considerations in Canada, American Courage’s schedule is uncertain following the Reynolds. He could go to Buffalo Raceway for the first leg of the New York Sire Stakes on June 9.

“The Canadian races being moved threw a monkey wrench our way, but like everyone, we’ll drive on and go from there,” Alexander said. “I was not planning on going to Buffalo, but maybe. He’s so good on a half, so handy, we have no fear of Buffalo and him. Matt (driver Kakaley) and I will decide on that. After Buffalo, there’s the Messenger.”

Eliminations for the Messenger are scheduled for June 25 and the final is July 2 at Yonkers.

On Friday, American Courage starts from post six with regular driver Matt Kakaley in the second of two Reynolds divisions for male pacers. He is 7-2 on the morning line.

“I don’t think most people have an idea how good he really is; I really don’t,” Alexander said. “Matt is very high on the horse and he’s driven a lot of very good horses, so I take what he says to heart. It’s going to be fun to see.”

Chris Ryder-trained I’ll Drink To That is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the second division of the Reynolds. Whichwaytothebeach, a Grand Circuit winner last year for trainer Roland Mallar now in the stable of Brett Pelling, is the 9-5 favorite in the first division.

The Yonkers card also includes two Reynolds divisions for 3-year-old female pacers, with Linda Toscano’s Heart Of Mine the 9-5 favorite in the first and Ryder’s Podium Girl the 9-5 chalk in the second.

Racing begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT) Friday at Yonkers. For complete entries, click here.