New Zealand import War Dan Delight N was successful in the Monticello Raceway Open Pace on Tuesday, Apr. 20, making his first start at the harness racing track.
Driver Michael Merton pushed him to the lead going into the first turn, but Weekend Atnannies drove on to the top on the outside. War Dan Delight retook immediately, hitting the front just past the quarter in :27.3. War Dan Delight N cleared and led through a soft :58.3 half and 1:27.3 three-quarters.
War Dan Delight N came under pressure throughout the third quarter, but he held off all attackers to win by a length in 1:56.3. Kj Erich (Jim Taggart Jr.) fought first-over for place, and Certified Ideal (Justin Huckabone) split horses late to nab third.
WAR DAN DELIGHT N REPLAY
War Dan Delight N has won 10 of his 50 lifetime attempts and earned in excess of $110,000. Robert Harmon trains for his own Harmon Racing Stable LLC and Eldo Leonelli of Milford. The horse is a six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding whom the current owners bought and moved to the United States after his win at Cranbourne in Australia on Oct. 21, 2019. This was his second victory in North America.
He paid $4.40 to win.
Jim Taggart Jr. collected three wins on the day. He scored with Dreaming Silly (1:59.2) in the fourth, Kj Chico (1:59.3) in the seventh, and American Island (1:55.4) in the finale.
Monticello Raceway will return on Wednesday, Apr. 21 with an eight-race card kicking off at 12:10 EDT.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink