Romantic Moment edges American Jewel

The $350,000 Valley Forge for 3-year-old filly pacers became a brief battle between the Brittany Farms-owned American Jewel and Romantic Moment, with Romantic Moment prevailing in 1:50.1 after enjoying a trip in the pocket.

 

The race got underway with Major Look stepping out in front of the field from post 4, but then Romantic Moment, driven by Yannick Gingras, paced past her and secured the lead. Economy Terror and Brian Sears, who started from post 7, left hard and Sears was intent on taking the lead and they got the job done and were first at the opening quarter (:26).

 

At the halfway mark (:54.3), Andy Miller tipped with Major Look and Tim Tetrick folliowed with American Jewel. Big McDeal, another serious threat, was stacked up third-over after starting from post 1.

 

After the three-quarter mark was passed in 1:22, Tetrick tipped three wide with American Jewel to give his filly a shot at a win. As Major Look faded, American Jewel took the lead, but then her stablemate, Romantic Moment, shot up the inside and took the win. Drean Of Winning was third. Economy Terror faded to sixth.

 

Jimmy Takter trains both Romantic Moment and American Jewel for Brittany Farms. Both fillies are by American Ideal and Brittany bred American Jewel. Romantic Moment was bred y Birch Hollow Farms and Steve Stewart. The victory in the Valley Forge was the fifth in eight starts this season for Romantic Moment.

 

"She's been sort of a bridesmaid to Jewel this year, but she's a great filly in her own right,” said Myron Bell, Brittany Farms' racing manager. "She was the only pacing filly we bought two years ago and she's been a treasure." (with files from Harness Racing Communications)