When you’re hot, you’re hot, and A Delightful Act N continued to show why she is one of Northeast Ohio’s top mares, digging in late to win the $20,000 Filly and Mare Open at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday (June 17).
Waitforever N (Aaron Merriman) left alertly once the starter said go and cleared the field quickly into the opening turn, with Ellagator (Billy Davis Jr.) in the pocket. Waitforever N kicked to a two-length lead entering the backstretch, but as Merriman tried to get a breather, A Delightful Act N (Hunter Myers) made a big move and cleared after a quarter in :27.
Myers continued to take no prisoners with A Delightful Act N, getting to the half in :54.4 with the field in straight alignment behind.
Ideal Destiny (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) began her bid for the lead entering the backstretch and made it to within a half-length of the leader past three-quarters in 1:22.4. But When Myers asked A Delightful Act N for a bit more, she responded and put away Ideal Destiny.
Though turning for home, the daunting presence of Waitforever N was looming in the pocket. While it appeared A Delightful Act N would be an easy winner, Waitforever N had something left in the tank but came up a neck shy in 1:50.3. Better Days Ahead (Luke Ebersole) rallied to be third.
Owned by Schillaci Stables LLC, Sam Bova Racing, and John Manning, A Delightful Act N pushed her career earnings to $263,422. The win was the 20th in the career of the Sam Schillaci trainee.
(Northfield Park)