by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway Saturday night played host to the $400,000 Fall Harvest Series. Eight, $50,000 events–2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits who were not eligible for last week’s New York Night of Champions–saw the glory go to…

–2-year-old trotting fillies–Anandamide (by Credit Winner); owner Acl Scuteri Ab/trainer Anette Lorentzon/driver George Brennan; 2:00.1/$2.40;

–2-year-old trotting colts and geldings–Armed Dangerously (by Cash Hall); co-owners Rudolph,Rudolph Stbs,Owen,Armed An Dangerous/trainer Tom Haughton/driver Eric Goodell; 2:00.1/$8.70;

–2-year-old pacing fillies–Bettor B Lucky (by Bettor’s Delight); owner W J Donovan/trainer Noel Daley/driver Jim Morrill Jr. (first life win) 1:55.1/$3.50;

–2-year-old pacing colts and geldings–Union Man Hanover (by Artiscape); co-owners Bay’s Stb,Stake Your Claim Stb,Baer/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Morrill Jr.; (life-best) 1:54.3/$2.90;

–3-year-old trotting fillies–Eight Bells (by Conway Hall); co-owners Steve Organ & Asa Farm/trainer-driver Per Henriksen; 1:59.4/$13.60;

–3-year-old pacing fillies–Alexachase (by Bettor’s Delight); co-owners (trainer) Johnny Waite & Kimberley Waite/driver Greg Merton; 1:54.3/$6;

–3-year-old trotting colts and geldings–Tiger’s Too Good (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer) Joe Holloway; Grant Jr.,L&L Devisser,Val D’Or Farms/driver Jeff Gregory; 1:58/$12.20;

–3-year-old pacing colts and geldings–Sea Venture,g (by Western Terror); co-owners (trainer) Tony Alagna,Frank,Fodera,Wieneck/driver Goodell; 1:54.4/$8.40.

Mike Lizzi photo

Alexachase (6) won the Fall Harvest Series division for 3-year-old pacing fillies in 1:54.3.

“This filly has been under the radar, but she always tries,” Merton said of Alexachase. “When I first drover her, they said she was a bit bumpy in the turns, and she has. I really thought I’d be second tonight, but Jason’s (Bartlett) filly (Ms Malicious) blew the final turn and mine just kept at it.”

Prior to the program, the Raceway presented its first-ever Racing Under Saddle exhibition, featuring seven accomplished horsewoman riding trotters at a distance of 9/16-mile distance.

The event was won–wire-to-wire–by Sara Waddon, who guided You Go Girl in a minute, 10 seconds. S F Aceinthehole (Lindsay Greene) was second, with Where’s Harry (Helen Gregory) third. Also competing were Noelle Duspiva, Jennifer Lowery, Nicole Mellberg and Jennifer Connor.

The exhibition was enthusiastically received by patrons and participants alike, with Yonkers already looking for an encore performance.

“We all had so much fun,” Waddon said. “There were some nerves, but once we were behind the gate, it’s very competitive. I’m very excited and my horse was super. I really appreciate (trainer) Chris (Marino) letting me borrow her.”

Special Saturday night props to McCedes ($9), who became harness racing’s newest millionaire after he wired the $37,000, 12th-race pace. The 6-year-old McArdle gelding, 21-for-123 lifetime, negotiated the mile-and-one-sixteenth in 2:00.4. Bartlett drove for co-owner/trainer Ron Burke.