Saratoga Harness: Evenin Of Pleasure becomes a millionaire after dominating Gerrity Memorial

Evenin Of Pleasure made a blistering move on the backstretch and cruised to an open-length victory in the $260,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial at Saratoga Harness on Saturday night.

As expected, the action was hot and heavy from the start, as Rockin Ron and Yannick Gingras swept three-wide to the front late on the first turn ahead of Bit Of A Legend N, with Evenin Of Pleasure settling in fourth.

Rodeo Romeo was left outside after leaving and forced Rockin Ron to the quarter in 26 2/5. The duel continued and Rockin Ron still controlled the action through a 53 4/5 half as driver Joe Bongiorno took the 2-1 Evenin Of Pleasure off the rail to follow second-over cover. Bongiorno, sensing his cover's vulnerability, sent Evenin Of Pleasure wide, and within an instant he had rolled by Rockin Ron and opened a quick five-length lead on the field passing three-quarters in 1:21 3/5.

Bongiorno drove Evenin Of Pleasure out to the wire and posted a 1:49 2/5 clocking, the third-fastest in the ten-year history of the Gerrity. Bit Of A Legend N was trapped behind Rockin Ron until late on the final turn and finished well once free but far back from the winner. Rockin Ron settled for third.

Jennifer Bongiorno trains Evenin Of Pleasure for owner Gestion J Y Blais Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. The winner returned $6, and with the $130,000 share of the purse, pushed his career bankroll over $1.1 million.

The undercard featured a trio of New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts, and Ostro Hanover upset in the first $59,100 split for substitute reinsman Billy Dobson in a 1:52 4/5 mile. Odds-on favorite Topville Olympian was second with Ideal Feeling third.

Rootin Tootin captured his third straight NYSS event for Jim Morrill Jr. in the second $59,100 stanza as the 2-5 favorite went down the pike in a 1:52 1/5 mile. Twin B Tuffenuff chased the winner home, with Lyons Steel full of pace in third.

Trump Nation just held off a fast closing Rockapelo to annex the final $59,100 NYSS grouping. Jason Bartlett guided the son of Betterthancheddar to a 1:52 3/5 victory as the 3-5 favorite. Rock Lights finished third in the field reduced to five.