Yonkers: American Mercury knocks off Bettor's Wish to take Messenger title

American Mercury has proven himself over the half-mile tracks in the New York Sire Stakes, but on Saturday night he stepped up his game in a big way by upsetting heavily-favored Bettor's Wish to capture the $500,000 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers Raceway for driver Tyler Buter.

As expected, odds-on choice Bettor's Wish took full advantage of the rail post and blasted from the gate, seating American Mercury as Branquinho and Ray Schnittker willingly accepted a three-hole ride. Dexter Dunn kept up a consistent pace, hitting the quarter in 27 and half-mile marker in 55 3/5 while the field remained in line.

On the third turn U S Captain, with Jason Bartlett, came from fourth on the rail to put a challenge to the favorite and the two raced as a pair through a moderate 1:23 3/5 three-quarters.

American Mercury was tucked in the pocket and late on the final turn looked as if he wouldn't find room. Bettor's Wish drew off from U S Captain's bid in early stretch but began to bear out noticeably, and that left an opening for Buter to gain clearance and allow the Chris Oakes-trained American Mercury to roll by late and stop the timer first in a 1:51 3/5 clocking, defeating Bettor's Wish by a head. U S Captain held on to third, with Branquinho and Escapetothebeach earning the final two checks.

"First and foremost I want to thank Chris (Oakes) for letting me drive and travel with this horse on the Sire Stakes circuit," said Buter after the race. "I knew if I found room he would go forward. He's gone forward on the wire all year."

Owned by Crawford Racing, Northfork Racing, Chuck Pompey and Scott Bice, American Mercury returned $16.20 as the second choice in the field of eight. A gelded son of American Ideal, American Mercury won for the seventh time in ten starts this year, with most of his wins coming on the New York Sire Stakes circuit.

Trainer Oakes suggested that the major difference with American Mercury this year has been that he gelded the sophomore.

"He's been more focused this year," Oakes said, "Hopefully we'll be moving on to the Little Brown Jug."

The Messenger's companion race, the $122,224 Lady Maud for fillies, went to favored Trillions Hanover (George Brennan) in 1:53 1/5. She came first-over from fifth and last on the second turn, but overcame the first-over grind to win by a length over JK American Beauty (Jordan Stratton), with pace-setter Bestseller Hanover (Bartlett) third.

Trillions Hanover is a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere trained by Tom Fanning for owners VIP Internet Stable LLC., Falcon Racing LLC., and Paul Lang. This was her seventh career win, she pushed her earnings to $194,265, and she paid $2.80 to win.