The front end proved strong on Sunday, March 24 at MGM Northfield Park, as both Warrawee Yang and Liteningonthebeach scored impressive victories in their respective $25,000 Open Handicaps.
In the Open Handicap Trot, Betmetowin (Kurt Sugg) and favourite Warrawee Yang (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) both left alertly and tussled through much of the opening turn; however, Warrawee Yang cleared quickly into the backstretch, arriving at the quarter in :28.1.
Warrawee Yang held a comfortable 1-1/4-length advantage, coasting to the half in :58. Into the backstretch, Warrawee Yang kicked clear to a four-length advantage, arriving at three-quarters in 1:26.2.
Turning for home, Warrawee Yang was confidently handled and drew off to an impressive 3-1/2-length victory in 1:55.3. Betmetowin hung on for second while Bjornsson (Chris Lems) finished third.
It was the fourth victory in a row for the talented four-year-old son of Trixton who is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, and trained by Michael Burke. Warrawee Yang now boasts a dozen victories from 35 starts and pushed his career earnings to $171,844.
In the Open Handicap Pace, several horses barrelled into the opening turn with Coop A Loop (Wrenn Jr.) and bettors' choice Liteningonthebeach (Aaron Merriman) duelling for the lead. As the field worked their way into the backstretch, Liteningonthebeach worked past Coop A Loop, getting to the quarter in :27.3.
Liteningonthebeach got to the half in a lively :56.2, with Merriman beginning to feel pressure up top with American Fling (Sugg) breathing down his neck first over and Incredible Man (Lems) right on that one's back.
At three-quarters in 1:24.2, Merriman put away American Fling and Incredible Man tipped three-deep, with Coop A Loop getting a perfect trip from the pocket.
Into the lane, Wrenn moved Coop A Loop from the pocket to take a shot at Liteningonthebeach, but that move proved futile, as Liteningonthebeach held off all pursuers to win by a length in 1:52.3. Nvrfearlloydishere (Billy Davis Jr.) rallied gamely to be second while Lyons Friends (Justin Irvine) came on for third.
The win was the second (consecutive) in four seasonal starts and the 15th career victory for the four-year-old by Downbytheseaside. THe 31-time starter pushed his career earnings to $258,723. He is owned by Renee Bercury and trained by William Bercury.
Both the Pick-5 and Pick-6 went unsolved on Sunday at Northfield resulting in carryovers for the Tuesday, March 26 card. The Tuesday carryover-palooza will embark with the $1 Pick-5 in race six, featuring a carryover of $4,463 and an estimated pool of $40,000. The 50-cent Pick-6 that starts in race eight will have a carryover of $6,676. Both wagers continue to carry the low 14 per cent takeout. Post time for the 15-race program on Tuesday is 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park; Photo of Warrawee Yang pictured above in a previous win at Woodbine Mohawk Park)