Yonkers: Three-year-olds battle in Reynolds Stakes

Andy Miller was suddenly sidelined this week, but fortunately for his wife-trainer Julie Miller Jordan Stratton was able to pick up the catch drive and convert it into a stakes victory for As Time Goes By in the first of two Reynolds divisions on Saturday night at Yonkers for sophomore pacing fillies worth $21,550.

Stratton put As Time Goes By, a daughter of Captaintreacherous, on the lead quickly before yielding to 3-5 choice Art Lecture. Stratton remained in the pocket through fractions of 27 2/5 and 57 before pulling at the three-quarters, which was clocked in 1:25 4/5. Instantly, As Time Goes By went by the favorite and drew clear for just her second win in 11 career starts in 1:54 3/5, a career-best. Willow Oak Ranch and the Andy Miller Stable own As Time Goes By, who returned $13 to win. Mi Nina Bonita finished second with Another Beach Day third.

Stratton came right back to capture the second $22,050 Reynolds division with the prohibitive 1-10 favorite Queen Of The Pride in a snappy 1:54 mile.

Stratton left but was looped at the start by Elektra King, with George Brennan swooping to the front three-deep on the first turn and marching forward to a 26 3/5 opening fraction. Stratton improved his position with Queen Of The Pride after the quarter but moved with purpose prior to the 56-second half to attack the pace-setter. Stratton had her in front well before the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters, with Rock N McRoll following at a distance and Abigail Dawn overcoming a brief shuffle to contend for the place spot.

Queen Of The Pride is trained by Kevin Lare and won for the fourth time in five starts in 2019, setting up a Yonkers return for the Lismore next. The winner, owned by Frank Chick, paid $2.30. Rock N McRoll was second, with Abigail Dawn third.

Wager On Me got soft fractions as the 2-1 second choice and scored easily in 1:54 2/5 for Jason Bartlett in the first of two $24,250 Reynolds divisions for sophomore pacing colts. Setting fractions of 28 3/5, 58 3/5, and 1:26 4/5, Wager On Me had little difficulty holding off Just Plain Loco, with Bro third. Odds-on favorite World On Edge broke while in striking distance on the third turn and was a non-factor the rest of the way.

Joseph Columbo trains Wager On Me, a son of Bettor's Delight, for owners George & Tina Dennis Racing and North State Street Stable.

The second $24,250 Reynolds event was a mad scramble after odds-on favorite No Mas Amor broke before the start and again in the race, leaving Melodies Major on the front with little dispute as the 2-1 second favorite. Despite soft fractions of 28, 57 3/5, and 1:26, Jimmy Marohn Jr. set American Admiral on the offensive without cover, overpowered the leader, and barely held Melanie's Tedy at bay late to score the 9-2 upset in a 1:54 3/5 mile. Price Hanover was a late-closing third.

Andrew Harris trains American Admiral for William, Ian, and James Fleming. It was the fourth win in eight starts in 2019 for the New York-sired son of American Ideal.