by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Delaware, OH — Destiny’s Chance and driver Yannick Gingras went to the lead in the opening quarter-mile and never looked back, winning the first of two $33,566 Standardbred Stakes divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:54.3 on Thursday (September 22) at Delaware.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Destiny’s Chance won the first of two Standardbred divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:54.3.
Starting from post five, Destiny’s Chance cleared early leader Cruzin Tothe Dance before reaching the quarter-mile point in :28.1. She led through fractions of :57.1 at the half and 1:26.3 to three-quarters and held off Cruzin Tothe Dance by a half-length at the wire. Darena Hanover, who launched a first-over bid as the field approached the final turn, finished third.
Destiny’s Chance, the 3-5 favorite, paid $3.20 to win. She is trained by Ron Burke for owner Randy Ringer and was coming off a runner-up finish to Economy Terror in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship on Sept. 10 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
The filly has won three of nine starts and topped $110,000 in earnings.
Sectionline Yankee led from gate to wire, holding off late challenges from Four Starzzz Girl and Moonlit Dragon in the final strides, to win the second of two $33,566 Standardbred Stakes divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:54.4.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Sectionline Yankee scored a narrow victory in the second of two Standardbred divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers.
Sectionline Yankee, driven by Chris Page and trained by Mike Conklin, held on by a head over Four Starzzz Girl and a neck over Moonlit Dragon.
It was the second win of the year for Sectionline Yankee, who has made seven starts for owners/breeders Harold Lee Bauder, Michael Dixon and Harold L. Bauder.
Sectionline Yankee started from post one and protected her inside position by leading the field to an opening quarter-mile of :28. She maintained her advantage through the halfway point before facing a challenge on the outside from Moonlit Dragon as the field reached three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Down the stretch, Sectionline Yankee was threatened to the inside by Four Starzzz Girl and driver Montrell Teague while continuing to fend off Moonlit Dragon and driver David Miller on the outside.
Sectionline Yankee, sent off at odds of 5-2, paid $7.00 to win.