Yonkers, NY – In a race where half the field was comprised of New Zealand-breds, Shezza GNP N (Jordan Stratton, $42.40) led a 1-2-3 Kiwi finish Friday night (Feb. 8), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Shezza GNP N (Jordan Stratton) outgamed Kaitlyn N (Matt Kakaley) by a nose to take the $44K Distaff Derby at Yonkers. Katy Gazzani photo.

The start of the feature was delayed as pole-given Amateur Hour (George Brennan) essentially refused. The seven other lasses left without her, with a three-wide Nerida Franco N (Dan Dube) getting around 3-10 choice Delishka N (Brent Holland) just after a :27.3 opening quarter-mile.

After a :56.4 intermission and going toward a 1:26 three-quarters, it was an antsy Delishka N extricating herself from the pocket, though not without having to work for it. She took a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but company was coming.

From assigned post position four, Shezza GNP N, working from third-over, closed to outgame Kaitlyn N (Matt Kakaley) by a nose in 1:56. Delishka N tired to the bottom of the ticket, with Ella Michelle A (Joe Bongiorno) and a recovering Amateur Hour completing the cashers.

For seventh choice Shezza GNP N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Art Major owned (as Tritton Inc.) and trained by Peter Tritton, it was a winning seasonal debut. The exacta paid $344, the triple returned $1,626 and the superfecta paid $4,760.