Balmoral Park

Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414

AJ’S DELIGHT TAKES NEWCOMER FINAL

AJ's Delight and driver Marcus Miller teamed up to win Wednesday's Newcomers Series Final in a career best of 1:54.2.

After three rounds of preliminary action, the Newcomers Series for three and four-year-old colt and gelding pacers came to a close on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park with a field of eight battling for a purse of $6,000.

With seven of the eight starters boasting wins during the series, the final figured to be a hotly contested affair. It proved to be just that as James Durante III’s AJ’s Delight took advantage of an early speed duel to post a 2 ¼ length come-from-behind score in a career best of 1:54.2.

Perfectly positioned in fourth by driver Marcus Miller, the gelded son of Park Place was more than content to watch the early action as KB’s Taylor (Robert Smolin) and Western Tower (Phil Knox) flew through early splits of 27.2 and 55.4.

Moving to the outside as the field moved midway around the final turn Miller had AJ’s Delight moving steadily towards the front as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.2.

Easily reeling in the tiring leaders the bay four-year-old scooted right by the top pair, cruising home in 29.0 to notch his second win in three starts this season for his owner-trainer. Bring The Rain (Josh Sutton) rallied to finish second while KB’s Taylor did well to hang on for third.

AJ’s Delight returned $10.60, $6.00 and $4.60.

For more information visit www.balmoralpark.com or call (708) 672-1414.