by Paul-John Ramos, program editor, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — The 4-year-old gelding pacer Flak Jacket N, a major New Zealand stakes winner, took his first United States appearance in the fog-ridden eighth race at Yonkers Raceway on Monday evening, November 26.

The son of Pacific harness immortal Courage Under Fire overcome a poor trip and sloppy conditions to win in 1:57.3 for driver Larry Stalbaum.

Flak Jacket N was a respected stakes horse in New Zealand, winning the group 2 Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham and finishing second in the group 2 Sapling Stakes at Ashburton.

He has also competed in Australia over most of the previous 18 months, winning three of 15 appearances and bankrolling over $32,000 during that stretch. His last start in Australia (and the Pacific) was a seventh in the National Trotguide Pace at Menangle, contested over a distance of 1-5/16th miles.

The import is now trained by Jennifer Rotundo for Durazzano Stable Associates of Huntington, New York.