Lynch elims at Pocono

Darlin’s Delight and Eternity’s Delight captured James M. Lynch Memorial Pace elimination races for 3-year-old pacing fillies Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Driven by Yanick Gingras, Darlin’s Delight left quickly from the eight hole but grabbing the early lead were Ron Pierce and Future Destiny from the six post. Darlin’s Delight got caught on the outside as the first quarter was clicked off in :27.1. The two horses battled to the half with neither giving any ground.

Making the top at the half was Darlin’s Delight with the timer reading :55.2. The two horses were sitting one and two as they made it to the three-quarter pole with Future Destiny a nose out. Three-quarters went in 1:23.4 and Darlin’s Delight was a winner in 1:51.3.

My Little Dragon, making her first start of the season with Brian Sears in the sulky, came from third at the three-quarter mark to finish 2 1/4 lengths back of Darlin’s Delight.

Third in this division was Xhilaration (Stephane Bouchard) with fourth going to Future Destiny.

Darlin’s Delight, a daughter of Real Artist, scored her first victory of the year in just two starts for White Birch Farm and trainer Jeff Stafford. Winner of last year’s Three Diamonds and New York Sire Stakes final, she has total earnings of $574,116.

Eternity’s Delight, piloted by Sears, came first-over down the backside after sitting fifth at the quarter with Just Great (Pierce) showing the way.

Opening quarter went in :27 with the new leader at the half being Benear (Cat Manzi) and the half reading :55. It was here that Sears came first-over with the eventual winner of the second elimination race. Eternity’s Delight closed in :28.4 to win by a length over Benear with Riley Rose (Sean Bier) third and Queen Teen (W. Mike Wilder) fourth.

Eternity’s Delight is a daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by Arlene and Jules Siegel and trained by Travis Alexander. This was her third win in four starts this year.

Top four finishers in each of the races will move on to the $139,392 finals next Saturday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Also making the nine-horse field for the finals was Flannel Yankee (Joe Pavia, Jr.) with a time of 1:53.1. Next came Western Gallie (Kevin Sizer) with a clocking of 1:53.3.

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