Yonkers, NY – When Dovescry showed the way through an easy clip and out-sprinted her rivals to the wire to capture the $250,000 MGM Robert Miecuna Invitational Trot on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15) at Yonkers Raceway in 2:26.4 for the mile and a quarter distance.

When Dovescry captured the $250,000 MGM Robert Miecuna Invitational Trot Saturday at Yonkers Raceway. Mark Hall/USTA Photo.

Driven by David Miller and dispatched as the 4-5 favorite, When Dovescry stepped to the top from post four and led through an opening quarter in just :30.1. Miller was able to keep the tempo soft from there with the mare, reaching the half in just 1:01.1 and the three-quarters in 1:30.2. Hillexotic (Yannick Gingras) and Amigo Volo (Todd McCarthy) followed along on the inside behind When Dovescry, while Take All Comers (Jordan Stratton) made a three-wide blitz from near the back of the pack to take up the first-over position beyond the half, giving cover to second choice Bella Bellini.

The speed increased on the way to the 1:58.3 mile marker, as When Dovescry zipped a :28.1 panel to get a bit of separation, and nobody could catch her through the lane, with Hillexotic fending off Amigo Volo for runner-up honors, a length and a quarter behind the champion. Lean Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) stuck to the cones and ended up finishing fourth at 107-1, and Bella Bellini was fifth.

“I didn’t really expect it to go that smoothly. I got to the lead, and she relaxes so well. Every quarter that flashed up, it was getting slower and slower. Up the backstretch I was like ‘we should be home free from here.’ Yannick was the only one I was worried about. He was running me over, and I didn’t want to let him out, but going that slow, 1:58.3, I figured she could out-sprint him.

“She’s well-deserving of that win, that’s for sure.”

A 6-year-old Muscle Hill mare, When Dovescry is trained by Brett Pelling for owner John Lengacher. This was her 23rd career victory, and she has now pocketed $2,055,252. She returned $3.80 to win and led a $35.20 exacta and a $187.00 trifecta.