Yonkers: McWicked defends title in Dan Rooney Invitational Pace

McWicked won his second straight edition of the $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace on Saturday afternoon at Yonkers Raceway, putting forth another big effort from first-over to prevail in 1:51 1/5.

None Bettor (Jason Bartlett) and Jimmy Freight (Scott Zeron) were the two strongest leavers in the race, with None Bettor clearing from post three before pole sitter Jimmy Freight re-moved around him near the 26 2/5 opening quarter. McWicked tucked in fouth from post six for driver Brian Sears, and he had the defending Horse of the Year out and moving first-over coming off the second turn. Jimmy Freight got to the half in a reasonable 55 1/5 and then picked up the tempo to three-quarters in 1:22 4/5, but McWicked, as he's done so many times before, just kept grinding away in that first-up position and got side-by-side with Jimmy Freight on the far turn.

McWicked would surge into the lead in the lane, but the job wasn't done as driver Jordan Stratton swung out with New Zealand import Micky Gee from third-over, and he was full of pace. Micky Gee closed with every stride, but McWicked found the wire first, scoring by a nose. Jimmy Freight wound up third, with The Real One (Pat Lachance) fourth from second-over and Australian-bred Theartofconfusion (Austin Siegelman) fifth.

"I was pretty pleased with where I got away and the fact that I could come first-up," remarked Sears. "I did have to come first-up a little earlier than I like, but he battled tough and held on right to the wire.

"I can't say enough about the horse and the way he shows up and races every week. He's battled some foot issues all summer but always puts out a good effort. I'm just proud of the horse. He's given me so many opportunities to be in big races, and he's won so many. He's just a thrill to drive."

Casie Coleman trains McWicked, an 8-year-old McArdle stallion, for owner S S G Stables. This was McWicked's 40th career victory, and he has now earned $4,878,342. The 2-1 third choice, McWicked paid $6.90 to win.