by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association
Delaware, OH — Winterbeary Farm’s Lady Andover took the drama out of the $96,800 Buckette for 3-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday (September 21) at Delaware, Ohio, by grabbing the early lead and then going wire-to-wire — at odds of 3-5 — to win for driver Ron Pierce in 1:57.3.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Lady Andover won the $96,800 Jugette on Wednesday in Delaware, Oh in 1:57.3 for driver Ron Pierce.
The daughter of Andover Hall-Lost Lady One defeated her closest pursuers during the mile, Adagio (Dan Noble) and Action On George (Tim Tetrick). The former, the second choice at 2-1, vied for the early lead with the winner, and the latter came first-over to grab third. The winning margin was 3-3/4 lengths.
Lady Andover remained hot and won on Wednesday for the fourth straight time and for the fifth time in 10 starts this year. She was bred by Andray Farm and Lindwood Farm, both of Pennsylvania, and is trained by Bob Stewart. Winterbeary Farm is the nom de course of Sandra and James Kunkel of Dudley, Mass.
“Right when the big money came in at the Meadowlands she kind of got derailed and was a little sore,” Stewart said about Lady Andover’s year thus far. “She also didn’t handle it mentally. She raced terrible in the Delvin Miller but we gave her three-and-a-half weeks off and she’s come back very well.
“This was her first time on a half-mile track, but she started out of there and put them in line and she had enough to hold them off — which was good.
“Well, hopefully, if she comes out of this we will try the (Kentucky Filly) Futurity next Sunday.”
— Kimberly French also contributed to this report